Essay, Research Paper
‘Afterwards,’ by Thomas Hardy, is a poem that questions the way that people will look upon the narrator after his death. It centre’s around the idea of ‘noticing things,’ showing the narrators precision and the ambivalence of his neighbours. Hardy gets this across by the techniques that he uses, and the detailed descriptions which show the full extent of what the narrator has noticed. The poem shows the complexity of nature, and describes the cycle of life. The first stanza begins by personifying the ‘Present,’ which is very appropriate as the poem is concerned by the aliveness of the surroundings that it is describing. The reference to the back gate suggests closure, and is a very precise way of describing the end of the narrator’s life. This sense of closure is also demonstrated in the structure of the poem, which is self-contained in its alternate rhyming quatrains. It has a rhyming pattern of abab, which means that the poem is soft and pleasing to hear, reflects the quietness of nature and goes along with the idea of the man being gentle and ‘tremulous’. It is also pleasing to the eye as each stanza loosely mirrors the previous one. However the number of syllables varies in each line, which means the poem is not constrained by its structure. This is fitting to the content of the poem as there are references to birds, and flying which has the connotations of freedom. An example of this is, ‘And the May month flaps its glad green leaves like wings.’ This animal imagery is totally un-restrictive, as well as painting a very bright and vibrant picture of the season that he is describing. The alliteration, combined with each line only having one syllable helps to achieve the bouncing, jolly effect. The line also shows enjambment from the first line that is a technique carried on throughout the poem, adding to the overall continuity. The month of May is also described as being ‘delicate-filmed as new spun silk.’ This simile gives a very precise description of the beauty of spring, comparing it to a shiny new fabric, and giving it an almost transparent quality. There are also the connotations of value and exquisiteness. The second stanza moves consecutively from daytime to dusk, using appropriate language to describe the time. Hardy is precise in describing the moment the hawk lands as like ‘an eyelids soundless blink.’ This has the combined effect of conveying both the visual swiftness of movement, and also the quietness of the moment. He manages to create an eerie tone by using the word ’shades,’ which gives the impression that there are many shadows and it is not very easy to see. The eerie tone is continued by the ‘wind-warped upland thorn,’ in which the plosive ‘R’ sound adds to the feeling of rustiness. It shows that the narrator does not only appreciate the bright beauty of the day time, but the more mystical quality of the evening, therefore noticing the full complexity of what nature has to offer.The idea of the day wearing on continues in the third stanza, where the first line foregrounds the rest of the stanza by stating; ‘If I pass during some ‘nocturnal blackness,’ which clearly sets the scene for night time. This is carried on by the description of the hedgehog and the moths, which only venture out at night, which creates a mood of peace and tranquility. The idea that the hedgehog travels furtively suggests a sense of purpose, that the hedgehog has a sly, secret mission to complete, which will go unnoticed in the rest of the world. This seems symbolic for the narrator, who seems to be discretely observing everything. T he secretiveness would help explain the distance that seems to be between him and the rest of the human beings around him. This distance is further achieved by the fact that there are never any names mentioned, or any suggestion of family or relationships. For example ‘one may say,’which is typically impersonal.Stanza four moves from describing the animals that the narrator identifies with, and is more focussed of the narrator and his idea of the people around him. It is different from the previous stanzas in that there is no movement within it, which is appropriate because Hardy is describing the time when the narrator has been ’stilled at last.’ The focus switches from the visual nature the narrator is so utterly familiar with, to the ‘full starred heavens that winter sees.’ Therefore he is thinking about the unknown, and the life that awaits him after he dies. Again there is the use of personification for winter, as there was for spring, which is important as it signifies the end of the seasonal cycle where things wither and die.Continuing this somewhat disconsolate tone, the beginning of the last stanza seems to give up on human nature. It asks, ‘and will any say when my bell of quittance is heard in the gloom.’ This brings you back to the closure suggested in the first stanza, where he describes the gate closing on his life. The image of the bell contrasts to the silence of the previous stanzas, especially the one immediately preceding it. It describes the sound dying, and then rising again as a ‘new bells boom.’ The alliteration again helps the line move quickly, suggesting the speed that people rush around. The onomatopoeic word ‘boom’ suggests the loud noise that people make, contrasting to the peace and tranquility of the nature and animals that he describes. The poem ends by asking if the people will say, ‘he hears it not now but used to notice such things?’ This sums up the whole poem, which is expressing how people will not ask these questions. The refrains bring in the new voice in each stanza, having the effect of uniting each one. The meaning of each of the final lines never really changes, achieving the realization that the narrator knows that he will never change the views of the people around him. Hardy is criticizing human nature for not stopping long enough to reflect on what is really meaningful in people’s lives. Therefore in conclusion the repetition of the first line, that ends the poem sums up the whole idea that nothing has actually been resolved. It emphasizes the complexity of nature and the amount of things that goes unnoticed every day and night. Hardy employs various techniques to make the poem come alive, which is crucial in showing his appreciation of what is going on around him. He uses extensive imagery, so that it is both visual, such as by describing the colours, and the explicit detail that is in every small thing that he describes. The silence is also transmitted effectively by word choice such as ’soundless blink.’ It is also effective in identifying his affinity with animals, as opposed to human beings.
365
Другие работы по теме:
Ah Are You Digging On My Gra
Essay, Research Paper The insignificance of human life compared to the passage of time and continuation of the life cycle are explored in both Thomas Hardy’s “Ah, Are You Digging On My Grave” and John Keats “When I Have Fears”. Hardy uses the relationships between a dead woman and her family, friends and pet to show this insignificance, while Keats uses the grandiosity of nature.
Tess Who Is The Villian Essay Research
Paper In any story dramatic situations occur. In most of these stories the main character is affected by one or more characters, situations and or society, which later on influences the mind of the main character. When the mind and thinking process of a character or person is altered than consequences begin to happen, to that character and others who make close contact with that character.
Tess Of The D Essay Research Paper
Thomas Hardy, who believed that we are all in the inescapable hands of fate, thrives on hap throughout Tess of the d?Urbervilles. Through this characteristic, Hardy is able to develop the heroine of the novel, Tess
Poetry Essay Research Paper Don t Give
Poetry Essay, Research Paper Don t Give In Dylan Thomas s poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”, is an urgent plea from Thomas to his dying father, and all men not to give in
Using
‘The Waterfall’ As A Starting Point, Discuss The Importance Of Memory In Hardy’s Poems Essay, Research Paper Memory is very important in relation to Thomas Hardy’s poems as he has a very limited amount of themes which he uses. Although he wrote thousands of poems, his themes are limited to those of death, regret, love, nostalgia, reminiscence, and missed opportunities.
Far From The Madding Crowd Essay Research
Paper Thomas Hardy Adam Gates Far From The Madding Crowd centers around the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene, and the three who love her and try to win her over. Gabriel Oak, Mr. Boldwood, and Sergeant Francis Troy find them selves intertwined in their quest to win Bathsheba.
Tragedy Of Othello Essay Research Paper In
Tragedy Of Othello Essay, Research Paper In tragedy the reader often sympathizes and empathizes with the protagonist who attains “wisdom through suffering.” Tess Durbeyfield, in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Othello, in William Shakespeare’s Othello are protagonists who elicit the sympathy of the reader as they suffer, act, and triumph over their antagonists, who are embodied by the characters of Alec D’Urberville, Tess’ wealthy defiler, and Iago, Othello’s amoral lieutenant.
Biblical Quotes In Tess Of The D
’ubervilles Essay, Research Paper Biblical Quotes in Tess of the D’Ubervilles Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Ubervilles portrays the romantic struggles of Tess Durbyfield with nature and other uncontrollable circumstances. Hardy crafts his novel with numerous Biblical quotes and allusions. As a self-proclaimed atheist, Hardy manipulates Biblical quotes out of their intended context in the Bible for his own meaning and effect.
Character Makes The Man Essay Research Paper
Character Makes the Man One of the questions Thomas Hardy poses in his masterwork novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge, is the relationship between character and chance in destiny. Destiny in this novel most closely relates to the idea of destiny put forth in Robert Frost s poem The Road Not Taken, where chance defines the paths for a person to take, but it is the person s character itself, which decides the path he or she takes in the end.
Smoke Signals Essay Research Paper The relationship
Smoke Signals Essay, Research Paper The relationship between Victor and Thomas in the movie Smoke Signals is what gives the stories that Sherman Alexie weave they’re meaning. Their relationship grows from acquaintances, to veritable enemies, to close friends. This shifting in association gives the movie a very heartwarming effect.
Thamas Hardys The Convergeance Of Twain
Essay, Research Paper Thomas Hardy experienced great difficulty believing in a forgiving, Christian God because of the pain and suffering he witnessed around him. He also endured some pain, with the loss of his wife and suffering during the five years he spent in London that made him ill. As a young man, Hardy wanted to become a clergyman.
Hardys Ability To Create Mood And Atmosphere
In The Return Of The Native. Essay, Research Paper With close reference to two or three moments in the text, discuss Hardy’s ability to create mood, atmosphere and a sense of place.
The Eye Of The Dragon Essay Research
Paper Character Sketch In The Eyes of the Dragon, the author Stephen King shows that Thomas is more than just a character to us. Thomas shows his traits as being naivete, jealously, and low self-esteem in
The Darkling Thrush Essay Research Paper The
The Darkling Thrush Essay, Research Paper The poem entitled The Darkling Thrush, written by Thomas Hardy, has a very appealing connotation. The work can be separated into two parts; the dismal part pertaining to the beginning of winter and the second part focusing on one small aspect of good in all of the dismal surrounding it.
Mayor Of Casterbridge Essay Research Paper In
Mayor Of Casterbridge Essay, Research Paper In Thomas Hardy?s The Mayor Of Casterbridge, Michael Henchard represents an incarnation of the Classical ?tragic hero.? In Greek literature, a tragic
The Mayor Of Casterbridge Essay Research Paper
Both of the novels, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Jude, the Obscure, written by Thomas Hardy are full of hardships and broken hearts. Many of the characters are hurtful and in return hurt badly. Each of Hardy’s novels seem to portray an underlining feeling of aversion towards marriage. In each of his novels most of the marriages are unfulfilling and don’t work out.
Setting In Tess Of The Durbervilles Essay
, Research Paper The Role of Setting In the novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, Tess is faced with many different levels of happiness, from pure joy to absolute unhappiness. As she moves from location to location, the setting of these places portrays Tess’ joy. From her pure happiness at Talbothay’s Dairy, to the turning point of Tess’s joy at the old D’Urberville house, to her most unforgiving stay at Flintcomb-Ash, to her final contentness before her death at Bramshurst Court, the reader sees atmospheric changes that diminish then climb back up.
A Comparison Of The Mayor Of Casterbridge
? By Thomas Hardy And ?A View From The Bridge? Essay, Research Paper In this piece of coursework our class had to be split up into groups of three or four and have discussions about topics
Jude The Obscure Essay Research Paper Final
Jude The Obscure Essay, Research Paper Final Exam – Jude The Obscure In life the role of a man has changed little in comparison to how much the role of a women has changed. In Jude the Obscure the you explorer a wide variaty of applied feminen identities. With exagerated properties of the applicaitons, it shows the true rang of diversity in the role of women.
Return Of The Native 2 Essay Research
Paper In Thomas Hardy s poem Her Dilemma, it relates to book one of the novel Return of the Native in the concept of marriage and distrust of feelings. In both the poem and the novel, the woman s feelings and emotions cause conflict in her marriage. It is interesting that both these literary works has a marriage transpire with one person doubtful, especially during a time when divorce was unconceivable.
Special Relativity Essay Research Paper ESPECIALLY 2
Special Relativity Essay, Research Paper ESPECIALLY … … of Hardy’s Poems as Seen through the characters” is a study concerning Hardy’s capability of presenting irony of situation in his poetry. The analysis deals …
Thomas Hardy
’s Tess Of The Durbervilles Essay, Research Paper Extremities In Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the Durbervilles, Tess worked in two extremely differentiating places. Both Talbothay’s and Flintcomb Ash represented a time in her life
The Mayor Of Casterbridge By Thomas Hardy
Essay, Research Paper As depicted in Thomas Hardy?s The Mayor of Casterbridge, man?s future lies in the hands of his past actions. The intelligent or ignorant decisions that man makes, places an immediate or long-term effect on the rest of man?s life. Occurring in the rustic town of Casterbridge, Michael Henchard, whose interactions with the people of Casterbridge lead to his demise, is only one of the people who decide their own destiny through there actions.
The Hardy Boys The Secret Panel Essay
, Research Paper Book Report The book I chose to read is called The Hardy Boys: the Secret panel. The main characters in this novel are the two Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe. Frank is a year older than Joe, and makes much smarter decisions. Joe likes to take risks and do things without thinking first.
Return Of The Native By Hardy Essay
, Research Paper Thomas Hardy feels that Edgon Heath, the setting of the novel The Return of the Native is a powerful, scary, dark and dreary place. He uses various techniques
Oung Thomas Edison Essay Research Paper Young
Oung Thomas Edison Essay, Research Paper Young Thomas Edison I read the book Young Thomas Edison , by Sterling North. The book tells about Edison’s Young life and how he greatly succeeded through out the years. It tells about his
Hardy
’s Use Of Jude And Sue In Jude The Obscure Essay, Research Paper Hardy?s Use of Jude and Sue in Jude the Obscure In Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy presents the characters Jude Fawley and Sue Bridehead, who violate the conventions of the repressive Victorian society while attempting to follow their natural instincts.
Thomas Hardy Essay Research Paper Thomas HardyThomas
Thomas Hardy Essay, Research Paper Thomas Hardy Thomas Hardy, written by Trevor Johnson, is the detailed journey through the life of one of England?s greatest writers. This biography describes some of the major details of his life such as his family, his education, and his major works.
The Hardy Boys Demolition Mission Essay Research
Paper The Hardy boys I am most similar too Joe Hardy in the book The Hardy boys: the demolition mission by Franklin W. Dixon. First of all we are both similiar because we are both smart. We are both kind
Hardy Where Did His Writings Come From
Essay, Research Paper A Question On Hardy: Where Did His Writings Come From Born into an agricultural community and untouched by industrialism, Thomas Hardy’s pessimism and determinism is what made his themes and styles stand out from other contemporary writers. According to Zabel, Schopenhaur inspired his pessimistic nature.
Hw Lab Essay Research Paper I TitlePopulation
Hw Lab Essay, Research Paper I. Title Population Genetics and Evolution: Hardy Weinberg Equation II. Hypothesis This lab is separated into four different cases. Within each of these cases, there are