St John’s High School- Bangalore-05
No. 132 St. John’s Church Road, Cleveland
Town.
ENGLISH LITERATURE
PROJECT
NAME OF THE CANDIDATE: Deepika
choudhary
UID NUMBER :
MONTH & YEAR: October 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE
SL.NO pg.n
o
1. Certificate 1
2. Acknowledgement 2
3. Title of the project 3
4. Introduction 4
5. Reason for choosing 5
the text
6. Brief explanation of 6
how I interpret the
chosen text and
literary materials
used in the process
7. Conclusion 9
8. Bibliography 10
INTRODUCTION
John Donne Holy Sonnet X, commonly titled ‘Death,
be not proud’, is one of the most powerful works in
metaphysical poetry. Written in the early 17th
century, it directly addresses Death as though it
were a living entity, stripping away its grandeur and
reducing it to insignificance. Donne’s poem id
deeply religious , philosophical, and symbolic.
The guiding question for this project is : how do the
symbols in ‘death be not proud’ reveal Donne’s
attitude towards death and immortality ?
Explanation of the question : the question asks us
study how Donne be not proud to show his views
on death and immortality. Symbols like sleep, rest
Poison , charms and eternal life reveal that Donne
Sees death as weak, ordinary, and temporary.
Thought three images ,he mocks death and
presents it not as an end but as a short pause
before eternal life. Thus, the question highlights
how symbolism reflects Donne’s fearless and
triumphant attitude towards death.
REASON FOR CHOOSING THE TEXT :
I chose this poem because of its timeless theme:
Death every human being has to confront mortality,
But Donne’s treatment of this subject transforms
fear into courage. He employs symbols such as
personification of death, rest and sleep , fast and
chance , poison and war , poppy and charms, and
Eternal life to dismantle the supposed power of
Death.
My aim in this project is to show how Donne
uses these symbols to redefine death from a
terrifying force into a temporary pause before
eternal life.
By analyzing each symbol in the poem, we can
understand how Donne presents a Christian
Triumph over mortality.
How I intend to interpret the
chosen text and literary
materials used in the process:
1.Death as a personified figure – The most
striking symbol in the poem is death itself, portrayed
as a proud tyrant. Donne personifies death, treating it
like a vain and arrogant ruler who believes it has
power over humans. By doing so , he makes death an
entity that can be debated, mocked, and ultimately
defeated
This personification is not just a literary device but
A symbol of humanity’s fear. By directing addressing
death, Donne strips away its mystery. Pride , as a
human flaw, implies weakness-thus Donne
Symbolically reduces death to a flawed being that
Has no ultimate power. This bold act shows his
Fearless attitude, rooted in Christian faith , that
Death is not the end.
2.Rest and sleep as symbols of death-
Donne compares death to rest and sleep,both of
Which are familiar and harmless. Sleep refreshes
the body, and rest brings peace. By equating death
With these temporary states Donne makes it
Seem not frightening but comforting.
Agents, Donne diminishes its glory. Symbolically ,
Death is no greater than the means that deliver it ,
making it ordinary rather than extraordinary.
5.Poppy and charms- Another powerful
comparison is with poppy and charms. Poppy refers to
opium, a drug that induces sleep, while charms
suggest magic or remedies. Both cause sleep or bring
relief, effects that death claims as its own.
The symbolism here is ironic. If human-made
substances like drugs or charms can achieve the
same effect as death, then death itself is unnecessary
and powerless. This reduces death’s significance
further. Instead of being a mighty force, death is
mocked as something no more effective than a dose
of medicine .
6. Eternal life: the final symbol – The
ultimate symbol in the poem is eternal life. Donne
Concludes with the paradox:’one short sleep past, we
wake eternally/ and death shall be no more; death,
Thou shalt die”.
Here , eternal life represents the Christian promise of
resurrection. Death is revealed as temporary, only a
short pause before eternal awakening. The final
paradox, where death itself dies, symbolizes the
ultimate defeat of mortality through faith in
God. This is the most triumphant symbol of the poem.
It tramsforms death from a frightening end into a
humble gateway to immortality. For Donne ,eternal
Life symbolizes victory, faith, and the promise
That human souls will live forever.
Symbolically, this comparison transforms death
into a natural part of existence . Just as people
welcome sleep at night, Donne suggests we
should not dread death- it is only a brief rest
before the eternal awakening. This redefinition
Challenges traditional fear and symbolizes the
transition from mortality to immortality.
3.Fate , chance, kings, and desperate
men. – Donne reduces death’s supposed
independence by reminding it that it is controlled
by fate , chance kings, and desperate men.
These forces symbolize the many circumstances
that cause death: natural destiny, accidents,
rulers who command executions, and desperate
individuals who commit suicide.
Instead of being a master, death is portrayed as
a servant of these forces. Symbolically, this
removes its authority, showing it as an
instrument used by external powers. Death is no
grand ruler but merely a tool. This reversal
symbolizes the weakening of death’s pride.
4.poison , war and sickness-Donne
further
Attacks death’s pride by associating it with
poison , war and sickness- agents that bring
physical death. These are destructive but earthly
forces, not divine powers.
The symbolism here is significant. Death, often
imagined as a mighty conqueror, is now
reduced to me mere companion of disease and
Violence. By placing death among these lowly
This is to certify that Master/Ms Deepika
Choudhary of class XII , St John’s High School
has
Successfully completed this project under my
supervision , in partial fulfilment of the
requirements prescribed by the ISC Board. She
has taken keen interest and shown utmost
sincerity in the completion of this project.
She has successfully completed the project work
English Literature up to my satisfaction.
INTERNAL EXAMINER: Mrs.Ratnalatha V
Fronterio.
DATE: /2025
VISTING:
DATE: /2025
