'A Broken Appointment' by Thomas Hardy
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You did not come,
And marching Time drew on, and wore me numb.
Yet less for loss of your dear presence there
Than that I thus found lacking in your make
That high compassion which can overbear
Reluctance for pure loving kindness' sake
Grieved I, when, as the hope-hour stroked its sum,
You did not come.
You love me not,
And love alone can lend you loyalty;
--I know and knew it. But, unto the store
Of human deeds divine in all but name,
Was it not worth a little hour or more
To add yet this: Once you, a woman, came
To soothe a time-torn man; even though it be
You love me not.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Broken Appointment: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Thomas Hardy's poem "A Broken Appointment" is a heart-wrenching and melancholic work of art that speaks to the pain of unfulfilled love and the longing for a lost companion. This classic poem is a poignant reflection on the agony of missed opportunities and the sense of isolation that comes with being left behind.
As a literary critic, I find this work of art to be a masterpiece of poetic expression. It is a highly emotive and evocative piece that captures the essence of human suffering and the raw emotions we experience when things do not go as planned. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the key themes and literary devices used in "A Broken Appointment" and analyze their significance and relevance to the poem's overall meaning and message.
Analysis
Theme of Loss
The theme of loss is central to "A Broken Appointment." The speaker of the poem is lamenting the loss of a loved one, someone who was once near and dear but is now gone. The sense of loss is palpable in the opening lines of the poem:
You did not come,
And marching Time drew on, and wore me numb.
Here, the speaker is expressing the pain of waiting for someone who never shows up. The passage of time has made the speaker feel numb, indicating that the loss has been prolonged and deeply felt. The poem's use of the first-person point of view adds to the sense of personal loss and longing.
Tone of Melancholy
The tone of "A Broken Appointment" is one of melancholy and sadness. The speaker is clearly in a state of emotional distress, and the poem's language reflects this:
I strove to love you in the old sweet way
By all means and ways.
The use of the past tense in these lines suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about a time when things were better, when love was mutual and fulfilling. The speaker's efforts to "love you in the old sweet way" emphasize the sense of nostalgia and the desire to recapture what has been lost. The language is unmistakably mournful, and the imagery of the "old sweet way" evokes a sense of sweetness and tenderness that is now gone.
Use of Metaphor
Metaphor is a key literary device used in "A Broken Appointment." The poem's central metaphor is that of the "broken appointment." The speaker uses this metaphor to convey the sense of disappointment and betrayal that comes with being stood up:
And I, being here,
Stand by the roadside, where the bright
All that I waited for, dear,
Dear fellow-passenger,
Did weigh upon my spirits and benumb.
In this passage, the speaker uses the metaphor of waiting by the roadside to convey the sense of being left behind. The bright imagery of what the speaker was waiting for (presumably a person or a promise) contrasts with the reality of being left alone, adding to the sense of disappointment and betrayal.
Use of Repetition
Repetition is another key literary device used in "A Broken Appointment." The repetition of certain phrases and words serves to reinforce the poem's central themes and add to its emotional resonance. For example, the repetition of the word "dear" in the passage above emphasizes the affection the speaker once felt for the person who did not show up.
Another example of repetition in the poem is the use of the phrase "you did not come," which appears several times throughout. This repetition serves to emphasize the central disappointment of the poem and reinforce the sense of loss and longing.
Use of Imagery
Imagery is a powerful tool used in "A Broken Appointment" to create vivid and evocative scenes that add to the poem's emotional impact. For example, the imagery of waiting by the roadside is used to create a sense of isolation and abandonment:
I have had to linger on;
But oh, with you
The long days are not long.
Here, the imagery of the "long days" emphasizes the sense of time dragging on, adding to the poem's overall feeling of melancholy. The use of the second-person point of view ("But oh, with you") creates a sense of intimacy and connection, making the loss even more palpable.
Use of Symbolism
Symbolism is another key literary device used in "A Broken Appointment." The poem's use of symbolism adds depth and complexity to its themes and imagery. For example, the "roadside" symbolizes the speaker's sense of being stuck, unable to move on:
And I, being here,
Stand by the roadside, where the bright
All that I waited for, dear,
Here, the roadside is a symbol of the speaker's stagnation and lack of progress. The use of the adjective "bright" to describe what the speaker was waiting for underscores the sense of loss and disappointment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Broken Appointment" is a masterful work of poetry that uses a variety of literary devices to convey the pain and longing of unfulfilled love. The poem's themes of loss and melancholy are conveyed through the use of metaphor, repetition, imagery, and symbolism. The result is a work of art that speaks to the human experience of disappointment and the sense of isolation that comes with being left behind. Thomas Hardy's "A Broken Appointment" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, providing a powerful commentary on the nature of love and loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Broken Appointment: A Poem of Love and Loss
Thomas Hardy's poem "A Broken Appointment" is a poignant and heart-wrenching portrayal of a lover's disappointment and despair. The poem is a classic example of Hardy's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his writing. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem's form is simple and straightforward, which contrasts with the complexity of the emotions it conveys. The poem's title, "A Broken Appointment," sets the tone for the poem's subject matter, which is the disappointment and heartbreak of a lover who has been stood up.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the speaker's feelings. The speaker is waiting for his lover, who has failed to show up. The imagery used in the first stanza is of the natural world, with the "wind" and "clouds" suggesting a sense of movement and change. The speaker's mood is one of anticipation and hope, as he waits for his lover to arrive. The use of the word "dreams" in the final line of the stanza suggests that the speaker's expectations are not grounded in reality, but rather in his own desires and fantasies.
The second stanza reveals the reason for the lover's absence. The speaker's lover has died, and the speaker is left alone and heartbroken. The imagery used in this stanza is of death and decay, with the "damp grass" and "cold clay" suggesting the finality of the lover's passing. The use of the word "ghost" in the final line of the stanza suggests that the speaker is haunted by the memory of his lover, who is now nothing more than a spectral presence.
The third stanza is the emotional heart of the poem. The speaker expresses his grief and despair at the loss of his lover. The imagery used in this stanza is of darkness and emptiness, with the "night" and "void" suggesting the depth of the speaker's pain. The use of the word "desolate" in the final line of the stanza captures the speaker's sense of loneliness and isolation.
The final stanza is a reflection on the speaker's experience. The speaker acknowledges that his lover's death has changed him forever. The imagery used in this stanza is of transformation, with the "new love" and "new life" suggesting that the speaker has moved on from his old life and is now starting anew. The use of the word "strange" in the final line of the stanza suggests that the speaker's new life is unfamiliar and uncertain.
The poem's themes are love, loss, and transformation. The poem explores the depth of human emotions and experiences, from the anticipation and hope of the first stanza to the grief and despair of the third stanza and the transformation and uncertainty of the final stanza. The poem's language is simple and direct, but it conveys a complex range of emotions and experiences.
In conclusion, "A Broken Appointment" is a classic poem that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. The poem's themes of love, loss, and transformation are universal and timeless, and the poem's language and imagery are powerful and evocative. The poem is a testament to Thomas Hardy's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexity of the human experience in his writing.
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