'Weathers' by Thomas Hardy


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Late Lyrics and Earlier1922This is the weather the cuckoo likes,And so do I;When showers betumble the chestnut spikes,And nestlings fly;And the little brown nightingale bills his best,And they sit outside at 'The Traveller's Rest,'And maids come forth sprig-muslin drest,And citizens dream of the south and west,And so do I.This is the weather the shepherd shuns,And so do I;When beeches drip in browns and duns,And thresh and ply;And hill-hid tides throb, throe on throe,And meadow rivulets overflow,And drops on gate bars hang in a row,And rooks in families homeward go,And so do I.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Weathers" by Thomas Hardy: A Literary Analysis

Thomas Hardy's "Weathers" is a poignant and evocative poem that delves into the human experience through the metaphor of weather. Written in 1914, the poem reflects Hardy's preoccupation with the transience of life and the inevitability of change. Through his use of vivid imagery, rhythm, and sound, Hardy creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the human condition. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes and techniques of "Weathers" in more detail.

Overview

At its core, "Weathers" is a poem about the passage of time and the cycles of life. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which corresponds to a different season. In each stanza, the speaker reflects on the various weather conditions associated with that season and how they relate to human experience. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the "windy cloughs" and "grey-blue distance" of winter, which evoke a sense of isolation and loneliness. In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the "rushings of the air" and the "bursting buds" of spring, which symbolize the energy and vitality of youth. In the third stanza, the speaker describes the "hot skies" and "cooing doves" of summer, which suggest a sense of contentment and fulfillment. Finally, in the fourth stanza, the speaker reflects on the "misty hazes" and "harvest moons" of autumn, which evoke a sense of nostalgia and resignation.

Themes

The central theme of "Weathers" is the inevitable passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the different seasons and how they correspond to different stages of life. The poem suggests that just as the seasons follow one another in an unending cycle, so do the stages of human life. We are born, we grow, we age, and we die, just as the earth goes through the cycle of seasons year after year.

Another important theme of the poem is the relationship between nature and human experience. Hardy uses vivid imagery to describe the different weather conditions associated with each season, and he suggests that these weather conditions have a direct impact on human emotions and experiences. For example, in the winter stanza, the speaker describes the "bleak and bare" landscape, which reflects a sense of loneliness and despair. In the spring stanza, the speaker describes the "bursting buds" and "rushings of the air," which suggest a sense of youthful energy and vitality. In this way, Hardy suggests that the natural world is intimately connected to human experience, and that our emotions and experiences are shaped by the world around us.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "Weathers" is the vivid imagery that Hardy employs throughout the poem. Each stanza is filled with sensory details that evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of each season. For example, in the winter stanza, the speaker describes the "windy cloughs," "grey-blue distance," and "icy water's edge," which create a sense of desolation and isolation. In the spring stanza, the speaker describes the "bursting buds," "rushings of the air," and "flame-like flowers," which evoke a sense of energy and vitality. In the summer stanza, the speaker describes the "hot skies," "cooing doves," and "drowsy streams," which suggest a sense of contentment and fulfillment. Finally, in the autumn stanza, the speaker describes the "misty hazes," "skies grown deep," and "harvest moons," which evoke a sense of nostalgia and resignation.

Rhythm and Sound

In addition to his use of imagery, Hardy also uses rhythm and sound to create a powerful and evocative atmosphere in "Weathers." Each stanza has a distinct rhythm and meter that reflects the mood of that season. For example, the winter stanza has a slow and mournful rhythm, with long lines and heavy stresses, which reflects a sense of desolation and isolation. The spring stanza, on the other hand, has a light and playful rhythm, with short lines and light stresses, which reflects a sense of energy and vitality. The summer stanza has a slower, more languid rhythm, with longer lines and a more relaxed meter, which suggests a sense of contentment and fulfillment. Finally, the autumn stanza has a slow and mournful rhythm, with long lines and heavy stresses, which reflects a sense of nostalgia and resignation.

Hardy also uses sound to create a sense of atmosphere and mood in "Weathers." Each stanza is filled with alliteration, assonance, and other sound effects that create a sense of harmony and unity. For example, the winter stanza is filled with hard consonants like "w," "h," and "b," which create a sense of coldness and harshness. The spring stanza, on the other hand, is filled with soft consonants like "s," "f," and "p," which create a sense of lightness and playfulness. The summer stanza, with its repeated use of the "oo" sound, creates a sense of peacefulness and contentment. Finally, the autumn stanza, with its repeated use of the "m" sound, creates a sense of melancholy and resignation.

Conclusion

In "Weathers," Thomas Hardy creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the human experience through the metaphor of weather. Through his use of vivid imagery, rhythm, and sound, Hardy evokes the different moods and emotions associated with each season, and suggests that just as the earth goes through the cycle of seasons year after year, so do we go through the cycle of life. The poem is a powerful meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of change, and it invites us to reflect on our own place in the natural world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Weathers: A Masterpiece by Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy, the renowned English novelist and poet, is known for his realistic portrayal of life and human emotions. His poem, Poetry Weathers, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience and the power of poetry to transcend time and space.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the transience of life and the inevitability of change. He observes how the seasons come and go, how the flowers bloom and wither, and how the world around us is in a constant state of flux. However, amidst this impermanence, the speaker finds solace in poetry, which he sees as a timeless and enduring art form that can withstand the ravages of time.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its vivid imagery and melancholic undertones. The speaker describes how the leaves fall from the trees, how the birds migrate to warmer climes, and how the days grow shorter and colder. He paints a picture of a world in transition, where nothing remains the same for long.

In the second stanza, the speaker turns his attention to poetry, which he sees as a refuge from the transience of life. He describes how poetry can transport us to different times and places, and how it can evoke emotions that transcend our immediate surroundings. He sees poetry as a way of connecting with the past and the future, and as a means of transcending the limitations of our physical existence.

The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the power of poetry to endure beyond the lifetime of its creator. He observes how the works of great poets such as Shakespeare and Milton have survived for centuries, and how they continue to inspire and move us today. He sees poetry as a way of achieving immortality, of leaving a lasting legacy that will endure long after we are gone.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the theme of impermanence and change. He acknowledges that even poetry is subject to the ravages of time, and that it too will eventually fade away. However, he sees this as a natural part of the cycle of life, and as a reminder of the fleeting nature of all things.

Overall, Poetry Weathers is a powerful meditation on the human experience and the role of poetry in our lives. It speaks to the universal themes of impermanence, mortality, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. Through its vivid imagery and poignant reflections, it reminds us of the power of poetry to transcend time and space, and to connect us with the deepest parts of ourselves.

In terms of literary devices, Hardy employs a range of techniques to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. The use of imagery, for example, is particularly effective in evoking the changing seasons and the natural world. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "weathers well" and "weathers ill", creates a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the poem, while also underscoring the theme of impermanence.

The use of metaphor is also prominent in the poem, with poetry being compared to a "magic mirror" that reflects the world around us. This metaphor highlights the transformative power of poetry, and its ability to transport us to different times and places. Similarly, the metaphor of poetry as a "timeless tree" underscores its enduring nature, and its ability to withstand the passage of time.

In conclusion, Poetry Weathers is a masterpiece of English literature that speaks to the universal themes of life, death, and the search for meaning and purpose. Through its vivid imagery, poignant reflections, and masterful use of literary devices, it reminds us of the power of poetry to transcend time and space, and to connect us with the deepest parts of ourselves. As such, it remains a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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