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The English Cemetery In Florence
The following passages that describe the English Cemetery in Florence were written by students attending CEA/the University of New Haven in Florence: Megan Stewart, Paul Russo, Mario Pisani, Maggie Malloy, and Kyle Gilligan
Every tomb in the English garden was worthy of a write up, but the one that struck me as the most interesting was the tomb of the son with the sculpture of the mother on top.
The tomb is ironic because it seems to be alive and saying a lot even though it is for the dead. The onlooker can easily see that the mother is truly downtrodden and depressed by the death of her son. Her body language is very descriptive.
The way she is leaning against some sort of alter or pew clearly shows how much sadness she has had to bear. She seems almost as though she is weak from mourning the death. Also, the way she is holding her head in one hand and just letting the other fall shows how tired she must be. You can also pick up from the detail in her face just how forlorn she is.
It is very interesting to note the message the tomb is sending. These tombs all seem to tell stories and this is one of a family in distress. The son is buried as far from the father as possible and the statue of the mother is positioned so that her back is toward the father’s tomb.
The tomb itself is a great piece of artwork. Not only is the statue impressive, but the family crest on the front of the tomb seems to be just as grand. There seems to be a lot of pride in these tombs.
This cemetery is full of tombs that are meant to stand out and show feelings ranging from pride, deep sadness and depression, and celebration of great lives.
Written by: Megan Stewart
So often do I pass by cemeteries in my busy life without stopping to think of the many stories of the people that are buried there. Every life has a story, therefore every cemetery holds the bodies of those stories who have shaped our history and changed the world we live in today.
The particular cemetery we visited today hold a wide variety of stories. There are people who dedicated their lives to fight for human rights buried right next to slaves. There are stories of mothers’ pains and lovers’ grief.
There are artists who improved the lives of others through the work that they put their heart and soul into. There are old and young, rich and poor. There are definitely a wide variety of stories that live on to this day.
It is odd to think that I would have walked right by this cemetery had I not come with my class and been given the knowledge of the significance it holds. While so many others before me have traveled miles and miles just to see the tombstone of somebody they had admired such as Fredrick Douglas traveling to see the tombstone of Theodore Parker, a man who he shared a common dream and goal with.
Written by: Paul Russo
I am used to cemeteries in the United States - mainly California where I am from - as being very quiet and full of flowers and bright plants. But as I sit here in this cemetery I see no plants except some that line the walking path.
The cemetery is located in the middle of two very busy streets, as cars pass by and horns and sirens fill the wavelengths passing into my ears. Though this cemetery is very different than any I have ever seen before, it is beautiful in many ways beneath the surface.
The stones and memorials are much larger on average than any I have ever seen at a cemetery. The stones are covered with black and you can tell the memorials have a great history and brings a sense of age and value to this place. It's amazing that there are only 700 memorials or stones for 1,400 people buried here.
Written by: Mario Pisani
I really enjoyed our visit to the English Cemetary. I was especially pleased with the nun who gave us the tour and spoke to us about everything in the library. It was so touching and wonderful to see a woman that passionate, excited and knowledgeable about a subject that was clearly, very dear to her. Her clear enthusiasm about the cemetery and those buried there was both inspiring and uplifting.
I must say I was most intrigued by the story surrounding Robert's and Elizabeth Barret Browning. For a couple who seemed to be so in love, I was perplexed and disappointed by Roberts actions and feelings towards her burial and the representation of her on the tomb.
It’s unfortunate that he felt the need to hide who she really was and portray her in such a completely different way much more proper and sophisticated with her hair pulled back and her chin up. For a woman as talented as Elizabeth was, I would think her husband would be proud of her and want to show her off and let her express herself freely, but in this case it seems to be the opposite.
Overall I felt that the cemetery was a very peaceful, serene place and it is wonderful that it still remains such a wonderful place. I'm grateful for having gone there with our class, because if I had not, I would never even know it existed. To see so many significant people, who have such amazing accomplishments buried together in one small cemetery in Florence, was incredible to see in person.
Written by: Maggie Malloy
Within a big city, and noisy cars speedy by one can find peace and serenity within the gates of the English Cemetery of Florence. Just to realize all the amazing minds that were laid to rest is quite astonishing to walk through and experience.
The amazing thing is the tombs and how extravagant they all are, everyone unique telling you a glimpse of the persons life. It also baffles me how intact most of the tombs are.
Some are a little bent out of shape but for the most part these tombs that are 200 plus years old look pretty good.
The tomb that stood out the most for me was that of a boy who died young and his father out of respect built him a huge tomb with a very intricate looking skeleton/ reaper with a stick pushing his way through a field of daisies.
It probably represents the good and bad in death and how it is sad the young boy is no longer with his father he is in a field of daisies maybe representing eternity.
Written by: Kyle Gilligan
Lifestyle, Arts and Entertainment - a8.10.06.14.10
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