For many people, the turn of a year is a suitable occasion for looking back to the events of the past year, but also for speculating what the coming year will bring. At the turn of a century, however, people seem to be even more excited and thoughtful. A poem which was written at the turn of the 20th century is Thomas Hardy’s “The Darkling Thrush”,
which I would like to analyse on the following pages. Firstly, I am going to say some words about the author. Then, I would like to deal with the speech situation, the content and with formal aspects. Lastly, I will analyse the rhetorical figures used by Hardy.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Analysis and Interpretation
- Thomas Hardy - Man and Writer
- The Poem in the Context of Time
- Speech Situation and Content
- Formal Aspects
- Rhetorical Figures
- Phonological Figures
- Morphological Figures and Lexical Choice
- Semantic Figures and Imagery
- Synopsis
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this paper is to analyze Thomas Hardy's poem "The Darkling Thrush," written at the turn of the 20th century. The analysis will explore the poem's context within Hardy's life and the broader historical and intellectual climate of the time.
- Hardy's biography and its influence on his writing.
- The poem's historical context at the turn of the 20th century and the end of the Victorian era.
- Analysis of the poem's formal aspects, including its structure and use of language.
- Examination of the poem's rhetorical figures and imagery.
- Exploration of Hardy's evolving religious and philosophical views.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the analysis of Thomas Hardy's "The Darkling Thrush," highlighting the poem's creation at a significant historical juncture—the turn of the 20th century—and outlining the paper's approach, which involves examining the author's biography, the poem's context, formal elements, and rhetorical devices. The introduction establishes the framework for a deeper understanding of the poem's complexities and nuances.
Thomas Hardy – Man and Writer: This section delves into the life of Thomas Hardy, providing biographical details relevant to understanding his poetic output. It traces Hardy's upbringing, education, and career, emphasizing his early exposure to literature, his aptitude for languages, and his early struggles with faith. The chapter highlights his profound connection to the Dorset countryside, contrasting his rural roots with his experiences in London, and discusses his evolving views on religion and the impact of thinkers like Darwin on his philosophical perspective, moving from a Christian upbringing to agnosticism or possibly atheism. His personal relationships and life events, especially his wife's mental illness and the influence of the First World War, are also considered, showing how his personal experiences shaped his worldview which is reflected in his works.
The Poem in the Context of Time: This section situates "The Darkling Thrush" within its historical and cultural context. It discusses the prevailing mood of uncertainty and pessimism among intellectuals at the turn of the century, linking this to social, political, and scientific developments. The Boer War, the rise of the working class and related social problems, and the impact of Darwinism and scientific advancements are all highlighted as contributing factors to the changing intellectual landscape of the era, against which the poem's themes of doubt and uncertainty gain depth and significance. The section emphasizes the shift from Victorian optimism to a more complex and pessimistic worldview which is reflected in the poem itself.
Keywords
Thomas Hardy, The Darkling Thrush, Victorian Era, turn of the century, agnosticism, atheism, pessimism, social commentary, literary analysis, poetic form, rhetorical figures, historical context, Darwinism, religious doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Thomas Hardy's "The Darkling Thrush"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of an academic analysis of Thomas Hardy's poem, "The Darkling Thrush." It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords to aid in understanding the analysis.
What topics are covered in the analysis of "The Darkling Thrush"?
The analysis explores various aspects of the poem, including:
- Thomas Hardy's biography and its influence on his writing.
- The poem's historical context at the turn of the 20th century and the end of the Victorian era.
- Analysis of the poem's formal aspects, such as structure and language.
- Examination of the poem's rhetorical figures and imagery.
- Exploration of Hardy's evolving religious and philosophical views.
What is the historical context discussed in the analysis?
The analysis delves into the historical and cultural context of the poem, focusing on the prevailing mood of uncertainty and pessimism at the turn of the 20th century. It considers events like the Boer War, the rise of the working class, and the impact of Darwinism and scientific advancements on the changing intellectual landscape.
How is Hardy's biography relevant to the analysis?
The analysis explores Hardy's life, including his upbringing, education, career, and personal experiences, to understand how these factors shaped his worldview and influenced his poetic output. His evolving views on religion, the impact of thinkers like Darwin, and his personal relationships are considered.
What literary techniques are analyzed in the poem?
The analysis examines the poem's formal aspects, including its structure and use of language. It also focuses on the poem's rhetorical figures and imagery, providing a detailed examination of phonological, morphological, semantic figures and the impact of imagery.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes explored include Hardy's agnosticism or atheism, pessimism, social commentary, and religious doubt. The analysis aims to illuminate the complexities of the poem's themes within its historical and biographical context.
What is included in the chapter summaries?
The document provides summaries of the introduction, the biographical section on Thomas Hardy, and the section analyzing the poem's historical context. These summaries provide a concise overview of each chapter's content and purpose.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Thomas Hardy, The Darkling Thrush, Victorian Era, turn of the century, agnosticism, atheism, pessimism, social commentary, literary analysis, poetic form, rhetorical figures, historical context, Darwinism, religious doubt.
- Quote paper
- Michael Brendel (Author), 2006, An analysis of Thomas Hardy's poem "The Darkling Thrush", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/113098
