"The Undead" is a poem about vampires and their need for life. It says that we should be aware and pitiful to them as "we cannot be much impressed with vampires, colorful as they are." (Lines 35-36) Wilbur relates to vampires as a class lower than ourselves. He tells of a race of beings that we should be sympathetic for, as they have self-concern, but cannot possess life themselves. These vampires prey on human life, and as immortals, cannot be human. This poem says that we should sympathize with vampires because there "pain is real," (37) meaning that they long for human life. I am going to discuss Richard Wilbur's poem "The Undead." I am going to discuss the author's tone, the imagery and symbolism in this poem.
             I am going to discuss the author's tone. Wilbur's tone throughout this poem is of vampires. He recites them as being not malicious, but woeful creatures who's only wish is to be self-aware. Vampires feed on humans, and in return live as immortals. They have self-concern, but cannot possess human life and what it has to offer. "To prey on life, and never possess it," (42) shows that Wilbur feels sorrow for vampires and he tries to feel their pain by relating to them as human beings. The poem's tone is colorless for vampires, although it is shown through the eyes of a human.
             I am going to discuss the author's imagery. All of the images portrayed in this poem are dark and gray. With images of cold, winter moons during summers to only coming out at the moon's rising, there is a sense of pity for vampires and there is also a sense of fear. In this poem, vampires are "Secret, unfriendly, pale, possessed," (9) but this entire poem shows vampires as a creature who should be felt sorry for. "Wrapped in their flapping capes, routinely maddened. By a wolf's cry, they stand for a mome
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