# After the Death of John Brown explained — Essays > Chapter companion for Essays by Henry David Thoreau. ## What happens Thoreau delivers a commemorative speech for John Brown, using poetry and prose to eulogize Brown as a transcendent moral hero and martyr. He reads selections from various poets and writers, including Marvell, Sir Walter Raleigh, Collins, Schiller, Wordsworth, Tennyson, Chapman, Wotton, and Tacitus, to illustrate the universal liturgy of heroism and the eternal nature of the soul. ## Themes in this chapter ### Heroism and Moral Courage The entire speech is a eulogy for John Brown as a transcendent moral hero, using poetry to celebrate his courage and martyrdom. ### The Role of the Poet and Writer Thoreau presents poetry as a universal liturgy for heroes and martyrs, with poets contributing to the formula established on high. ### Freedom and Slavery John Brown's fight against slavery is the implicit context; the speech honors his sacrifice for freedom. ## Character check-ins ### Captain John Brown Honored as a transcendent moral hero and martyr; Thoreau uses poetry to eulogize him. ### Henry David Thoreau Speaker and compiler of the commemorative service; reads selected poetry and prose. ### Sir Walter Raleigh Quoted as the supposed author of 'The Soul's Errand,' applied to John Brown's case. ### Schiller Quoted for verses on the fortunate dead and the emancipated force of nature. ### Wordsworth Quoted for lines on strong instincts and plain rules among herdsmen. ### Tacitus Quoted for his tribute to Agricola, applied to John Brown's memory. ### Sir Henry Wotton Quoted for verses on the happy man who serves not another's will. ## Key lines > So universal and widely related is any transcendent moral greatness, and so nearly identical with greatness everywhere and in every age—as a pyramid contracts the nearer you approach its apex—that, when I now look over my commonplace book of poetry, I find that the best of it is oftenest applicable, in part or wholly, to the case of Captain Brown. Moral greatness is universal and timeless, so the best poetry in Thoreau's collection applies to John Brown. _Thoreau explains why he uses poetry to honor Brown._ > The sense of grand poetry, read by the light of this event, is brought out distinctly like an invisible writing held to the fire. Reading great poetry in the context of Brown's death reveals its true meaning, like invisible ink becoming visible when heated. _Metaphor for how Brown's martyrdom illuminates poetry._ > What are the clothes that endure? The garments lasting evermore Are works of mercy to the poor; And neither tetter, time, nor moth Shall fray that silk or fret this cloth. The only lasting garments are acts of mercy, which are imperishable. _Thoreau reflects on the mended clothes of John Brown as a symbol of enduring virtue._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/after-the-death-of-john-brown - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters