Themes
The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from which we refuse to be divorced. Every other wound we seek to heal – every other affliction to forget: but this wound we consider it a duty to keep open – this affliction we cherish and brood over in solitude.
— Washington Irving · The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819-1820), 'Rural Funerals'
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Grief for the dead is treated as the one pain people won't let go of. We try to heal or forget everything else, yet this loss we keep open on purpose. Irving describes tending that sorrow alone as a duty.
Context reviewed