John Crowe Ransom's "Dead Boy" is a poem about the different opinions in society regarding a child's death. This child while living, built himself many reputations among the town's people. None of the members of society felt it was there duty to help or inform this child of the path he was taken. However, when he dies some criticize his life and feel the need to criticize his actions in life. While all the time knowing they did nothing to change his path. Others feel sorry, but are just as guilty for not helping a child who might have had a future. Instead he is lying in a coffin dead. Society is left to wonder wh