In Memoriam

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Throughout In Memoriam’s lengthy exploration of grief, Tennyson moves from despair to cautious hope. What aspects of his portrayal of mourning resonated most strongly with you? How did the poem’s epic scale influence your experience of its emotional journey?

2. When comparing In Memoriam to other explorations of loss, such as W. H. Auden’s “In Memory of W. B. Yeats” or Tennyson’s own shorter elegy “Break, Break, Break,” what differences stand out to you? How does the structure of 133 individual cantos written over years affect the way grief is portrayed?

3. What surprised you most about Tennyson’s struggle with faith throughout the poem? Did his questioning of God’s purpose and his ultimate affirmation of faith feel authentic to you?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Poetry writing ultimately offers Tennyson “solace” amid his grief. What activities or practices have served as your own “mechanic exercise” during difficult times?

2. Consider the famous line “’Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all” (

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