'Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death' by Thomas Hardy


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NOT a line of her writing have I,
Not a thread of her hair,
No mark of her late time as dame in her dwelling, whereby
I may picture her there;
And in vain do I urge my unsight
To conceive my lost prize
At her close, whom I knew when her dreams were upbrimming with light,
And with laughter her eyes.

What scenes spread around her last days,
Sad, shining, or dim?
Did her gifts and compassions enray and enarch her sweet ways
With an aureate nimb?
Or did life-light decline from her years,
And mischances control
Her full day-star; unease, or regret, or forebodings, or fears
Disennoble her soul?

Thus I do but the phantom retain
Of the maiden of yore
As my relic; yet haply the best of her--fined in my brain
It may be the more
That no line of her writing have I,
Nor a thread of her hair,
No mark of her late time as dame in her dwelling, whereby
I may picture her there.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exciting Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Thomas Hardy's "Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death"

Wow! What a beautiful and melancholic poem by Thomas Hardy, "Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death." It is a heart-wrenching piece that captures the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of the poem. Are you ready to dive in?

Context

Thomas Hardy was a British novelist and poet who lived from 1840 to 1928. He is best known for his novels, Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure. However, Hardy was also a talented poet who wrote many beautiful and thought-provoking poems. "Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death" was written in 1910 after the death of Hardy's second wife, Florence Dugdale.

The poem is a tribute to Florence and the grief that Hardy felt after her passing. The title of the poem is a reference to Florence's nickname, which Hardy used to refer to her in his personal letters. The poem was originally published in the Times Literary Supplement in 1910 and was later included in Hardy's collection, Satires of Circumstance.

Themes

The poem deals with several themes such as love, grief, and mortality. The primary theme of the poem is grief, and it is expressed through the speaker's emotions as he comes to terms with the death of his loved one. The theme of love is also evident throughout the poem as the speaker reminisces about the moments he shared with his loved one.

Lastly, the theme of mortality is expressed through the imagery of death and decay. The speaker talks about how his loved one's body has been reduced to dust, emphasizing the inevitability of death.

Literary Devices

Hardy employs several literary devices throughout the poem to emphasize the themes and create a melancholic tone.

The most prominent literary device used in the poem is imagery. Hardy uses different types of imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and to create a vivid image of the scene. For instance, in the first stanza, Hardy uses visual imagery to describe the surroundings:

"A late lark twitters from the quiet skies; And from the west, Where the sun, his day's work ended, Lingers as in content, There falls on the old, grey city An influence luminous and serene, A shining peace."

The visual imagery is used to set the tone of the poem and to represent the peacefulness of the surroundings. Furthermore, in the second stanza, Hardy uses tactile imagery to create a sense of touch and to convey the speaker's emotions:

"She who but lately Passed into silence, sleeps In a still, new-made grave, Nestling alone; But peace is far From her dreams, alas!"

The tactile imagery is used to emphasize the finality of the loved one's passing and the loneliness that the speaker feels.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. Hardy repeats the phrase "O you" throughout the poem to address his loved one directly. The repetition creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and his loved one.

Interpretation

The poem is a powerful expression of grief and the pain of losing a loved one. The speaker's emotions are palpable throughout the poem, and the imagery used creates a vivid picture of the scene. The use of the phrase "O you" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's longing for his loved one and his inability to accept the reality of her death.

The theme of mortality is also evident throughout the poem. Hardy uses imagery to describe the physical decay of the loved one's body, emphasizing the inevitability of death. The poem is a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that we must come to terms with it.

Furthermore, the poem is a tribute to love. The speaker reminisces about the moments he shared with his loved one, emphasizing the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones. The poem is a reminder that love is a powerful force that transcends death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death" is a beautiful and melancholic poem that captures the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one. The poem deals with several themes, including grief, love, and mortality. Hardy employs various literary devices, such as imagery and repetition, to emphasize the themes and create a poetic tone. The poem is a tribute to love and a reminder that death is a natural part of life that we must come to terms with.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Thomas Hardy’s “Poetry Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death” is a poignant and heart-wrenching poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a tribute to Phoebe Hennell, a close friend of Hardy’s who passed away at a young age. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem’s themes, structure, and language to understand the emotions and ideas that Hardy conveys through his words.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality. The poem’s structure is simple and straightforward, which reflects the speaker’s state of mind as he tries to come to terms with the news of Phoebe’s death.

The poem’s title, “Poetry Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death,” is significant as it suggests that the speaker’s thoughts about Phoebe are expressed through poetry. The use of ellipsis in the title adds a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the reader is left to wonder about the missing letters in Phoebe’s name. This ambiguity adds to the poem’s emotional impact, as it suggests that Phoebe’s identity is not important, but rather the emotions and memories she evokes in the speaker.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes how he was “startled” by the news of Phoebe’s death and how it “brought back” memories of their past. The use of the word “startled” suggests that the speaker was taken aback by the news, and the use of the phrase “brought back” suggests that the memories of Phoebe were buried deep within the speaker’s subconscious.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker’s emotions come to the fore. The speaker describes how he “loved” Phoebe and how her death has left him feeling “bereft.” The use of the word “loved” suggests that the speaker had strong feelings for Phoebe, and the use of the word “bereft” suggests that he is now feeling a sense of loss and emptiness.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life. The speaker describes how Phoebe’s life was “brief” and how she was “gone” before he had a chance to say goodbye. The use of the word “brief” suggests that Phoebe’s life was short, and the use of the word “gone” suggests that she has passed away. The speaker’s regret at not being able to say goodbye adds to the poem’s emotional impact, as it suggests that the speaker is now left with a sense of unfinished business.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to terms with Phoebe’s death. The speaker describes how he will “remember” Phoebe and how her memory will live on through his poetry. The use of the word “remember” suggests that the speaker will hold onto his memories of Phoebe, and the use of the phrase “live on” suggests that her memory will continue to have an impact on the speaker’s life.

The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, which adds to the poem’s emotional impact. The use of the word “startled” in the first stanza suggests that the speaker was taken aback by the news of Phoebe’s death, and the use of the word “bereft” in the second stanza suggests that he is now feeling a sense of loss and emptiness. The use of the word “brief” in the third stanza suggests that Phoebe’s life was short, and the use of the word “gone” suggests that she has passed away. The use of the word “remember” in the final stanza suggests that the speaker will hold onto his memories of Phoebe, and the use of the phrase “live on” suggests that her memory will continue to have an impact on the speaker’s life.

In conclusion, Thomas Hardy’s “Poetry Thought Of Ph---a At News Of Her Death” is a poignant and emotional tribute to a close friend who passed away at a young age. The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life through its simple structure and language. The poem’s emotional impact is heightened by the use of ellipsis in the title and the ambiguity surrounding Phoebe’s name. Overall, the poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing our memories and the people we love while they are still with us.

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