'The Impercipient' by Thomas Hardy
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(at a Cathedral Service)
THAT from this bright believing band
An outcast I should be,
That faiths by which my comrades stand
Seem fantasies to me,
And mirage-mists their Shining Land,
Is a drear destiny.
Why thus my soul should be consigned
To infelicity,
Why always I must feel as blind
To sights my brethren see,
Why joys they've found I cannot find,
Abides a mystery.
Since heart of mine knows not that ease
Which they know; since it be
That He who breathes All's Well to these
Breathes no All's Well to me,
My lack might move their sympathies
And Christian charity!
I am like a gazer who should mark
An inland company
Standing upfingered, with, "Hark! hark!
The glorious distant sea!"
And feel, "Alas, 'tis but yon dark
And wind-swept pine to me!"
Yet I would bear my shortcomings
With meet tranquillity,
But for the charge that blessed things
I'd liefer have unbe.
O, doth a bird deprived of wings
Go earth-bound wilfully!
....
Enough. As yet disquiet clings
About us. Rest shall we.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An In-Depth Analysis of Thomas Hardy's "The Impercipient"
As one of the most celebrated poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Thomas Hardy is renowned for his insightful and often melancholic works that explore the complexities of human emotions and relationships. One of his most poignant works is the poem "The Impercipient," which delves into the theme of missed opportunities and the fleeting, ephemeral nature of life.
At its heart, "The Impercipient" is a meditation on the transitory nature of existence and the inevitability of death. The poem is structured as a series of vignettes, each of which depicts a moment in time that is imbued with a sense of urgency and fleetingness. The opening lines of the poem, which describe a "December midnight," immediately set the tone for the rest of the work:
"December night, and a light
Which shown from a room where a dying man lay,
Weak from the wasting of Time's and Disease's might –
But yesternight it was blazing gay."
Here, we see the contrast between the "blazing gay" atmosphere of the previous night and the somber, reflective mood of the present. The "dying man" is a symbol of the impermanence of life, and his weakened state serves as a reminder of our own mortality.
Throughout the poem, Hardy uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the sense of transience that permeates the world around us. In the second stanza, he writes:
"Out in the spaces of God there lies
Space that is infinite still;
But why does our brief existance rise
At all on the cosmic sill?"
Here, the "spaces of God" serve as a metaphor for the vastness and infinite nature of the universe, which stands in stark contrast to our own brief, fleeting existence. The use of the word "cosmic" highlights the cosmic insignificance of human life, which is but a small blip on the radar of the cosmic timeline.
As the poem progresses, Hardy continues to explore the theme of missed opportunities and the regret that comes with them. In the third stanza, he describes a scene in which a man looks back on his life and wishes that he had lived it differently:
"And as he mused there spread
A sense of his life's mistake;
And a glass that ran could not have said
More plainly 'thy course was vague.'"
The use of the metaphor of the "glass" serves to highlight the fleeting nature of time, which cannot be stopped or reversed. The man's realization that his life was "vague" is a poignant reminder of the importance of living intentionally and making the most of every moment.
As the poem draws to a close, Hardy offers a glimpse of hope in the form of a "babe" who represents the potential for new beginnings and fresh starts:
"And a babe in a cot by his side
Smiled, and the man was gay;
And he thought no more of his life's brief tide
As it rippled and waned away."
This final image serves as a reminder that even though life is fleeting and full of missed opportunities, there is always the potential for new beginnings and fresh starts.
Overall, "The Impercipient" is a powerful meditation on the transitory nature of existence and the importance of living intentionally. Through vivid imagery, metaphors, and poignant vignettes, Hardy invites us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we make. While the poem may be melancholic at times, it ultimately offers a message of hope and renewal. For anyone who has ever felt the weight of regret or the sense of missed opportunities, "The Impercipient" is a powerful reminder that life is precious and should be lived to the fullest.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Impercipient: A Masterpiece of Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy, the renowned English novelist and poet, is known for his realistic portrayal of life and its complexities. His poem, The Impercipient, is a masterpiece that reflects his deep understanding of human nature and the world around us. The poem is a reflection on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of change. It is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of existence and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem by introducing the central theme of impermanence. The speaker describes a scene of natural beauty, with the sun setting over the sea. However, the speaker is unable to fully appreciate the beauty of the moment, as they are preoccupied with their own thoughts and worries. The speaker is "impercipient," meaning they are unaware of the beauty around them.
The second stanza expands on the theme of impermanence by describing the passing of time. The speaker reflects on how quickly time passes and how easily we can miss the beauty of life if we are not paying attention. The speaker uses the metaphor of a bird flying away to illustrate the fleeting nature of life. The bird is a symbol of freedom and beauty, but it is also a reminder that nothing lasts forever.
The third stanza brings the poem to a close by emphasizing the importance of living in the moment. The speaker urges the reader to appreciate the beauty of life while it lasts, as it will inevitably come to an end. The speaker uses the metaphor of a flower to illustrate this point. The flower is a symbol of beauty and life, but it is also a reminder that it will eventually wither and die. The speaker urges the reader to "pluck the flower" and enjoy it while it lasts.
The Impercipient is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that we must cherish every moment. The poem is also a commentary on the human condition. We are often so preoccupied with our own thoughts and worries that we fail to appreciate the beauty around us. We are impercipient, unaware of the world around us.
The poem is also a reflection on the role of the artist in society. Hardy was a writer who was deeply concerned with the human condition. He believed that it was the role of the artist to reflect on the world around them and to bring attention to the issues that mattered. The Impercipient is a perfect example of this. It is a reflection on the impermanence of life and the importance of living in the moment.
In conclusion, The Impercipient is a masterpiece of Thomas Hardy. It is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. The poem is a commentary on the human condition and the role of the artist in society. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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