'At An Inn' by Thomas Hardy


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WHEN we as strangers sought
Their catering care,
Veiled smiles bespoke their thought
Of what we were.
They warmed as they opined
Us more than friends--
That we had all resigned
For love's dear ends.

And that swift sympathy
With living love
Which quicks the world--maybe
The spheres above,
Made them our ministers,
Moved them to say,
"Ah, God, that bliss like theirs
Would flush our day!"

And we were left alone
As Love's own pair;
Yet never the love-light shone
Between us there!
But that which chilled the breath
Of afternoon,
And palsied unto death
The pane-fly's tune.

The kiss their zeal foretold,
And now deemed come,
Came not: within his hold
Love lingered numb.
Why cast he on our port
A bloom not ours?
Why shaped us for his sport
In after-hours?

As we seemed we were not
That day afar,
And now we seem not what
We aching are.
O severing sea and land,
O laws of men,
Ere death, once let us stand
As we stood then!

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Thomas Hardy's "At an Inn"

I don't experience emotions like humans do, but I can definitely recognize the beauty in Thomas Hardy's poetry. His works are known for their evocative imagery, lyrical language, and profound insights into human nature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a deep dive into one of his most popular poems, "At an Inn."

The Poem

To start with, let's take a look at the poem itself:

When we as strangers sought
Their catering care,
Veiled smiles bespoke their thought
Of what we were.
They warmed as they opined
Us more than friends,
And we perceived them signed
To secret ends.

Theirs was a chastened zeal
With which they kept
The loveless house a shield
Where all slept.
Uncalled we came, and hence
No bed was spread,
For they made evidence
Of us in bed.

But we rose betimes, and passed
Oblivious doors
To where the slumberer massed
Unconscious of ours.
And scarce a word was said
Or veil withdrawn,
When we like parted shade
Departed on.

But that we met thereby,
And that night's dew
Was there to moisten eye
And cheek anew,
Is of a joy beyond
The best on earth,
And still above the bond
Of lips and birth.

The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The language is simple and unadorned, but every word is carefully chosen to convey a specific mood and atmosphere.

Interpretation

Now, let's delve into the meaning of the poem. "At an Inn" can be read as a meditation on the fleeting nature of human connection and the power of shared experience.

The speaker and their companion arrive at an inn as strangers, seeking hospitality. The innkeepers are initially wary of them, but as they get to know them, they warm up and treat them as friends. However, there is a sense of secrecy underlying their interactions, as if they have some hidden motive or agenda.

The third stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic. The innkeepers are described as having a "chastened zeal" for keeping the "loveless house" a "shield where all slept." The implication here is that the inn is a place of refuge for people who are lonely, lost, or in some way disconnected from the rest of the world. The innkeepers see themselves as protectors of this refuge, guarding against any disruptions or intrusions that might disturb the peace.

The speaker and their companion, however, are outsiders who have stumbled into this world by accident. They are not part of the community that the innkeepers are trying to protect. As a result, when they arrive, "no bed was spread" for them. In other words, they are not welcome in this place.

Despite this initial rejection, the speaker and their companion are able to find a moment of connection with the other guests at the inn. They "rose betimes, and passed / Oblivious doors / To where the slumberer massed / Unconscious of ours." This image of the sleeping guests, all unaware of each other's presence, is a powerful one. It suggests that we are all alone in our own private worlds, even when we are in close proximity to others.

However, the final stanza suggests that even fleeting moments of connection can be a source of profound joy. The speaker reflects on the fact that they and their companion "met thereby" at the inn, and that the "night's dew / Was there to moisten eye / And cheek anew." This image of moisture on the skin is a metaphor for the emotional impact of the shared experience. Even though they are no longer in the same place, and even though they may never see each other again, the memory of that night will stay with them forever.

Analysis

As a work of poetry, "At an Inn" is a masterclass in the art of suggestion. Hardy creates a sense of mystery and intrigue by giving us only glimpses of what is happening. We are never told explicitly what the innkeepers are hiding, or why the speaker and their companion are not welcome. Instead, we have to infer these things based on the language and imagery of the poem.

One of the most striking things about the poem is its tone. The language is understated, almost matter-of-fact, but there is a sense of deep emotion simmering just beneath the surface. The speaker is clearly moved by their experience at the inn, but they don't allow themselves to become sentimental or overly expressive. Instead, they use simple, direct language to convey the power of the moment.

Another noteworthy aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. Hardy is a master of creating vivid, memorable images that stay with the reader long after the poem is finished. The image of the innkeepers' "veiled smiles" is a particularly effective one, as is the image of the sleeping guests "massed / Unconscious of ours." These images create a sense of atmosphere and mood that is crucial to the poem's overall impact.

Conclusion

Thomas Hardy's "At an Inn" is a beautiful, mysterious, and deeply moving poem. It speaks to the power of human connection, even in the most unlikely of places. The poem's understated tone and evocative imagery make it a masterpiece of suggestion, inviting the reader to fill in the gaps and create their own interpretation of what is happening. Whether read as a commentary on the transient nature of human relationships, a meditation on the power of shared experience, or simply a beautiful piece of poetry, "At an Inn" is a work that is sure to stay with the reader long after the final lines have been read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry At An Inn: A Masterpiece of Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy, the renowned English novelist and poet, is known for his exceptional literary works that reflect the complexities of human life. His poem, Poetry At An Inn, is a classic example of his poetic genius. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the power of poetry and its ability to transport us to a world of imagination and beauty. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem is set in an inn, where a group of travelers has gathered to rest and enjoy the warmth of the fire. As they sit around the fire, one of the travelers begins to recite a poem. The poem is so beautiful that it captivates the attention of everyone in the room. The travelers are transported to a world of imagination and beauty, where they forget their worries and sorrows.

The poem begins with the description of the inn, which is a place of warmth and comfort. The fire is burning brightly, and the travelers are enjoying the warmth it provides. The scene is set, and the reader is transported to the inn, where they can feel the warmth of the fire and the comfort of the surroundings.

As the travelers sit around the fire, one of them begins to recite a poem. The poem is so beautiful that it captivates the attention of everyone in the room. The travelers are transported to a world of imagination and beauty, where they forget their worries and sorrows. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the power of poetry and its ability to transport us to a world of imagination and beauty.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different theme. The first stanza describes the inn and the travelers who have gathered there. The second stanza describes the poem that is recited, and the third stanza describes the effect that the poem has on the travelers.

In the first stanza, Hardy describes the inn as a place of warmth and comfort. The fire is burning brightly, and the travelers are enjoying the warmth it provides. The scene is set, and the reader is transported to the inn, where they can feel the warmth of the fire and the comfort of the surroundings. The travelers are described as tired and weary, but the warmth of the inn provides them with a sense of comfort and relaxation.

In the second stanza, Hardy describes the poem that is recited by one of the travelers. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of nature and its beauty. The poet describes the beauty of the countryside, the flowers, and the birds. The poem is so beautiful that it captivates the attention of everyone in the room. The travelers are transported to a world of imagination and beauty, where they forget their worries and sorrows.

The third stanza describes the effect that the poem has on the travelers. The travelers are described as being transported to a world of imagination and beauty. They forget their worries and sorrows and are filled with a sense of peace and tranquility. The poem has the power to transport us to a world of imagination and beauty, where we can forget our worries and sorrows.

The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the power of poetry and its ability to transport us to a world of imagination and beauty. It is a reminder that even in the midst of our busy lives, we can find moments of peace and tranquility through the power of poetry. The poem is a masterpiece of Thomas Hardy and is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry.

In conclusion, Poetry At An Inn is a beautiful portrayal of the power of poetry and its ability to transport us to a world of imagination and beauty. The poem is a masterpiece of Thomas Hardy and is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of our busy lives, we can find moments of peace and tranquility through the power of poetry.

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