'Waiting Both' by Thomas Hardy


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A star looks down at me,And says:"Here I and you
Stand each in our degree:What do you mean to do,-Mean to do?"I say:"For all I know,
Wait, and let Time go by,
Till my change come."-"Just so,"
The star says:"So mean I:-So mean I."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Waiting Both by Thomas Hardy: A Tale of Love, Loss and Reminiscence

Have you ever experienced the feeling of waiting for something that may never happen? The anticipation, the hope, the fear, and the frustration - all intertwined together in a complex web of emotions that can leave you feeling both exhilarated and exhausted at the same time? If you have, then you can relate to the poignant poem, "Waiting Both," written by the master storyteller, Thomas Hardy.

In this 24-line poem, Hardy captures the essence of human longing and the bittersweet nature of memories. He weaves together imagery, metaphor, and sound to create a vivid picture of a woman waiting for her lover to return, while reflecting on their past together. Through the use of literary techniques, Hardy creates a sense of nostalgia and melancholy that lingers long after the poem is over.

The Structure and Form

At first glance, the poem appears to be a traditional ballad with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. However, upon closer inspection, one can notice the subtle variations in the meter and the use of enjambment, which add a layer of complexity to the poem. The first stanza sets the scene with the image of a woman sitting by the fire:

A heavy heart,

Beloved, have you?

If it please you so,

We two will linger here

On the threshold of the mist

To-night, will linger here

And loiter long

To-gether;

The repetition of "linger here" and "loiter long" creates a sense of hesitation and reluctance, as if the woman is uncertain about what to do next. The use of "threshold of the mist" adds to this sense of ambiguity, as if the woman is waiting on the edge of something unknown.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the past, as the woman reminisces about her lover:

Ours is not

The bridal way,

Yet you and I,

Beloved, may

Go more than halfway

To meet the other

On the old red sandstone bridge,

The use of "bridal way" and "old red sandstone bridge" evoke images of romance and nostalgia, while the phrase "go more than halfway" suggests a mutual effort to maintain the relationship. The enjambment at the end of the stanza emphasizes the word "other," which can be interpreted as the other person in the relationship or the other side of the bridge.

The third stanza returns to the present, as the woman wonders if her lover will ever return:

Hear you the doves

Moaning like love?

O heart of mine,

What ailed thee so,

To fail in fortunes

Favors long ago?

Wast thou too proud

To over-pray

The gods beside

Thee all the way?

The use of sound in this stanza is particularly striking, with the repeated "o" sounds in "doves," "moaning," and "heart," and the alliteration of "fortunes" and "favors." The questions at the end of the stanza create a sense of uncertainty and regret, as if the woman is blaming herself for the current situation.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the woman returns to the image of waiting:

Love, that is

Only ours,

Ought to be

Prayed for theirs

Who longer must

Endure on earth.

Never to us

Returneth Love.

The repetition of "Love" in the final stanza emphasizes the theme of love as a universal experience. The use of "theirs" and "endure on earth" creates a sense of empathy and compassion, as if the woman is acknowledging the struggles of others. The final line, "Never to us/ Returneth Love," is both a statement of fact and a poignant reflection on the nature of love and loss.

The Themes and Interpretation

At its core, "Waiting Both" is a poem about love, loss, and the passage of time. The woman in the poem is waiting for her lover to return, but she is also waiting for a sense of closure and resolution. The use of imagery, metaphor, and sound creates a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, as if the woman is longing for something that can never be regained.

One possible interpretation of the poem is that it represents the cyclical nature of life and love. The woman is waiting for her lover to return, but she is also waiting for the next phase of her life to begin. The use of the "threshold of the mist" and the "old red sandstone bridge" suggest that the woman is on the cusp of a new journey, but she is uncertain about what lies ahead.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the transience of human relationships. The woman wonders if she was "too proud" or if she could have done more to maintain the relationship, but ultimately she acknowledges that "Never to us/ Returneth Love." The use of sound and repetition in the poem creates a sense of inevitability and finality, as if the woman is resigned to the fact that her lover may never return.

The Relevance Today

Despite being written over a century ago, "Waiting Both" remains relevant today. The themes of love, loss, and the passage of time are universal and timeless, and they resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The use of literary techniques such as imagery, metaphor, and sound create a sense of complexity and depth that makes the poem accessible to both casual readers and literary scholars alike.

In a world where relationships are often fleeting and impersonal, "Waiting Both" serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of human connection. The woman in the poem may be waiting for her lover to return, but she is also waiting for a sense of closure and resolution. Her journey is one that we can all relate to, as we navigate the ups and downs of our own lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Waiting Both" is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the essence of human longing and the bittersweet nature of memories. Thomas Hardy's use of literary techniques such as imagery, metaphor, and sound create a sense of nostalgia and melancholy that lingers long after the poem is over. The themes of love, loss, and the passage of time are universal and timeless, and they resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. "Waiting Both" is a testament to the power and beauty of human connection, and it serves as a reminder that even in the midst of uncertainty and ambiguity, we can find hope and meaning in the waiting.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Waiting Both: An Analysis of Thomas Hardy's Classic Poetry

Thomas Hardy, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his poignant and melancholic works that explore the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Among his many masterpieces, "Waiting Both" stands out as a timeless classic that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and literary devices used by Hardy to create a powerful and evocative poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

The poem "Waiting Both" was first published in 1899 as part of Hardy's collection "Poems of the Past and Present." It consists of three stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. However, the simplicity of the structure belies the complexity of the emotions and ideas conveyed in the poem.

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the two main characters - the speaker and his lover. The opening line, "A star looks down at me," immediately creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the natural world. The star, a symbol of hope and guidance, is a recurring motif in Hardy's poetry and represents the transcendent power of love and beauty. The speaker then describes his lover, who is "waiting both" with him, suggesting that they are in a state of anticipation or uncertainty. The use of the word "both" emphasizes the shared experience of waiting and suggests that the speaker and his lover are united in their longing.

The second stanza deepens the sense of longing and introduces the theme of time. The speaker describes how the "hours pass slow" and how he and his lover are "watching the long skies grow." The image of the "long skies" suggests a vast and infinite expanse, emphasizing the eternity of their waiting. The use of the word "watching" suggests a sense of vigilance and attentiveness, as if the speaker and his lover are waiting for something specific to happen. The repetition of the word "long" emphasizes the drawn-out nature of their waiting and creates a sense of tension and anticipation.

The third stanza brings the poem to a climax and reveals the source of the speaker's longing. He describes how his lover's "face is fair" and how he longs to "kiss her there." The use of the word "fair" suggests a sense of purity and innocence, emphasizing the speaker's reverence for his lover. The repetition of the word "there" emphasizes the specific location of the speaker's desire and creates a sense of urgency and intensity. The final line, "Then die we may, and never know," is a powerful and haunting statement that captures the fragility and transience of human life. The use of the word "may" suggests a sense of uncertainty and emphasizes the inevitability of death. The phrase "never know" suggests a sense of regret and loss, as if the speaker and his lover will never experience the fulfillment of their desire.

One of the key themes of "Waiting Both" is the idea of waiting and anticipation. The poem captures the sense of longing and uncertainty that often accompanies love and desire. The use of the star as a symbol of hope and guidance suggests that the speaker and his lover are waiting for something specific to happen, perhaps a sign or a moment of clarity. The repetition of the word "long" emphasizes the drawn-out nature of their waiting and creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The poem suggests that waiting is an essential part of the human experience and that it can be both painful and transformative.

Another important theme of the poem is the idea of time. The speaker describes how the "hours pass slow" and how he and his lover are "watching the long skies grow." The image of the "long skies" suggests a vast and infinite expanse, emphasizing the eternity of their waiting. The poem suggests that time is both a source of frustration and a source of hope. The repetition of the word "long" emphasizes the drawn-out nature of their waiting and creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The poem suggests that time is a precious and fleeting resource that must be cherished and used wisely.

The imagery used in "Waiting Both" is both vivid and evocative. The star, a symbol of hope and guidance, is a recurring motif in Hardy's poetry and represents the transcendent power of love and beauty. The image of the "long skies" suggests a vast and infinite expanse, emphasizing the eternity of their waiting. The use of the word "fair" to describe the lover's face suggests a sense of purity and innocence, emphasizing the speaker's reverence for his lover. The repetition of the word "long" emphasizes the drawn-out nature of their waiting and creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The imagery in the poem creates a powerful and evocative atmosphere that captures the emotions and ideas conveyed in the text.

The poem also employs several literary devices to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The ABAB rhyme scheme creates a simple and elegant structure that emphasizes the repetition of certain words and phrases. The repetition of the word "long" creates a sense of tension and anticipation, while the repetition of the word "there" creates a sense of urgency and intensity. The use of alliteration, such as "hours pass slow" and "watching the long skies grow," creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that enhances the emotional impact of the poem.

In conclusion, "Waiting Both" is a timeless classic that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing. The poem explores the themes of waiting and anticipation, time, and the fragility of human life. The vivid and evocative imagery, combined with the use of literary devices such as rhyme and alliteration, creates a powerful and emotional atmosphere that continues to resonate with readers today. Thomas Hardy's "Waiting Both" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that stands the test of time and remains a testament to the enduring power of human emotions and relationships.

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