A Wife in London Flashcards
Who was A Wife in London written by?
Thomas Hardy
When was A Wife in London written?
1899
What are some context points about Thomas Hardy?
- Victorian novelist and poet
- Critical of Victorian society, as he felt it limited people’s lives and happiness
- Opposed war
- A Wife in London is based on the Boer War, he did not fight in it
- Boer War: 22,000 soldiers killed
What is the significance of the title of A Wife in London?
“A” - indefinite article shows it could happen to anyone
What is the purpose of the subtitles in A Wife in London?
To reinforce the grief of the situation. “Tragedy” foreshadows his death. “Irony” reinforces the tragedy
“She sits…
…in the tawny vapour”
“webby…
…fold on fold”
“Like a waning…
…taper the street-lamp glimmers cold”
“messenger’s…
…knock cracks smartly”
“flashed…
…news is in her hand”
“of meaning…
…it dazes to understand”
“He-…
…has fallen-“
What is the effect of the ellipsis at the end of the second stanza in A Wife in London?
Displays despair and instability
“the fog…
…hangs thicker”
“firelight…
…flicker”
“His hand…
…,whom the worm now knows”
“Fresh -…
…firm - penned in the highest feather-“
“hoped…
…return”
“summer…
…weather”
“new…
…love”
What is A Wife in London about?
Hardy criticises the lack of provisions for war widows to oppose war’s cruelty.
