A Wife In London Flashcards
Context
Themes of grief can be seen in his own life when his first wife died in 1912
Socially inferior origins and had very pessimistic views that can be seen in some of his other novels such as Tess of D’Urbevilles/Jude the Obscure
Structure
Tragic narrative - although second section named “The Irony”, tragedy continues as he hopes for the day he would come back home to his wife’s loving arms
Regular rhyme scheme - helps to unite the two sections and reinforces the uncomfortable emotions Hardy expresses
However division (Volta) between the two sections helps to represent the wife’s “heartbreak” as she tries to come to terms with the news
Architecturally speaking - the lines act as a swirling vapour ebbing and flowing
Language and Imagery
“Tawny vapour” and verb “uprolled”- she feels very isolated and alone as she is engulfed by this vapour (pathetic fallacy)
Waning taper - adjective waning suggests something in decline… possibly her hope of her husband returning?
Hardy is deliberately very vague - forcing the reader to envisage her inner distress ; the adjective “tawny” accentuates how the fog is impenetrable and she is unable to see the situation which is about to be revealed to her - utter confusion and sense of weakness (imminent dread shown though the “glimmering” street-lamp which could be extinguished at any moment)
“Flashed” - means that she is unable to comprehend the depth of the passage and fragmentation accentuates that this taper has finally been extinguished (no more waning)
Euphemism of “has fallen” - does nothing to mitigate her suffering ; faltering struggle to come to terms with the news - “dazes”… very confused and “cracks smartly” - possibly foreshadowing how her connection to her husband has finally broken
Pathetic fallacy again - “fog hangs thicker” : comparative she is far more depressed
“The postman” - unable to register any detail ; incredibly impersonal and everything feels the same
Annexing alliteration of “firelight flicker” - sign of movement and warmth possibly a renewal of life with his wife (in the letter)?
Gives new vigour and optimism to the poem - anticipation to come home to his wife’ loving arms
Idea of renewal clashes in a tragic way with the wife’s realisation of his death and plosives add hope to the poem
