Which literary school focused on themes of death and immorality, characterized by a gloomy tone?

The Graveyard School is recognized for its preoccupation with themes of death and immortality, often infused with a somber and melancholic tone. This literary movement emerged in the 18th century and is most notably associated with poets who wrote about mortality, the afterlife, and the contemplation of death. Their works frequently feature graveyards or tombs as significant settings, reinforcing the atmosphere of gloom and meditation on existential themes. This school highlighted the human condition through the lens of mortality, making it distinct from other literary movements.

The Metaphysical Poets, while also dealing with complex themes including life and death, tended to focus more on philosophical and spiritual introspections rather than a consistently gloomy tone. Romantic Poets celebrated nature, emotion, and individualism, often being more optimistic and focused on the beauty of life rather than its end. Transcendentalists emphasized the inherent goodness of people and nature, promoting ideas of self-reliance and a deep connection with the universe, which contrasts sharply with the dark themes characteristic of the Graveyard School.