How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land; (1-2)
What, people can't talk after death? Maybe. The real idea behind "silent land," however is that death is a total separation. Once somebody dies, good luck ever communicating with them again. No fun, we know.
Quote #2
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. (3-4)
The word "stay" is really important here. Sure the speaker is talking about something happening previously, but the word makes us think of staying behind—staying alive. This idea will become more important later when the speaker talks about a "vestige" (12).
Quote #3
Remember me when no more, day by day,
You tell me of our future that you plann'd: (5-6)
The speaker's beloved will no longer "tell" the speaker about their future; he will be silent, in other words. This recalls the "silent land" of line 2, and reminds us again that this poem is about death.
Quote #4
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had (11-12)
Darkness? Corruption? Death is really looking like a monster here don't you think? And yet, despite that, a little "vestige" remains, a little piece of life. Adios, darkness and corruption.
Quote #5
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad. (13-14)
Things get a little suicidal here, that's for sure. The speaker would rather her beloved forget about her than think of her and be sad. She would rather be "dead" to him than know that he's grieving. Sweet?