# The Dead — Verses on Various Occasions character guide

> The Dead in Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0175-clxxiii-for-the-dead

## Who they are

Collective souls of the departed, prayed for in poems.

## In the story

### [I: Solitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/i-solitude)

Implied in the reflection on mortality and the grave on the birthday.

### [XIII: A Voice from Afar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xiii-a-voice-from-afar)

The speaker, who has died, addresses the living from beyond, offering comfort and reassurance of continued presence.

### [XVII: Epiphany-Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xvii-epiphany-eve)

Implied in the reference to Mary's 'mysterious rest' and the 'solemn holiday' of her death.

### [XIX: Kind Remembrances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xix-kind-remembrances)

Those for whom Annie serves as a witness, called to earth again through her name.

### [Sympathy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/lxxviii-sympathy)

Addressed as 'Souls of the Just,' they are invoked but deemed unable to share the speaker's earthly joy.

### [Relics of Saints](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/lxxix-relics-of-saints)

The Fathers in dust are said to live to God, awaiting the judgment-day.

### [CXV: Separation of Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxv-separation-of-friends)

Souls waiting beneath the altar for their second birth, separated from earthly friends.

### [CXXII: Waiting for the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxxii-waiting-for-the-morning)

The souls at rest in Eden, awaiting the Beatific Vision.

### [CLXVIII: The Golden Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxviii-the-golden-prison)

The speaker anticipates joining the souls elect who wait in the golden prison.

### [Heathen Greece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxix-heathen-greece)

Referenced as thin wan ghosts shivering along the bank of a dull river.

### [For the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxxiii-for-the-dead)

The holy souls in purgatory, enduring patient suffering for sins.

### [St. Michael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxxvi-st-michael)

Implied as those who will be awakened by Michael's trumpet at the end of time.

### [The Dream of Gerontius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/clxxviii-the-dream-of-gerontius)

Referenced in the context of the souls in Purgatory who sing a psalm of refuge and longing for God.

### [§ 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/7)

The souls in Purgatory cry out to the Lord, recalling His eternal refuge and human frailty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/characters/the_dead
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/characters