A Wife in London Flashcards
Context
Thomas Hardy was a novelist - so was a storyteller.
Poem is probably about the Boer war, however the use of a ‘wife’ reflects the tragedy of how many lives were lost during all wars.
Structure
The poem is divided into two events covering two days. ‘The Tragedy’ and ‘The Irony’
Clear rhyme scheme in each verse, creating a sense of inevitability to the tragic events.
Hardy uses the present tense to create a sense that this is a story unfolding in front of us, making it more emotionally and dramatic.
Themes
War
Death
Impacts of war
Relationships
“sits in the tawny vapour”
The adjective ‘tawny’ suggests a dull, brown, foggy London. The language is ominous and may indicate the darkness and highlights the tragedy about to happen – her whole world is covered in gloom. It may also suggest a stark contrast to the place where her husband died.
“city lanes have been uprolled”
Describes the mist rolling up the streets. Poor houses all very close together.
“Behind whose webby fold on fold”
This spider web imagery evokes the feeling of poverty, entrapment and anxiety. As a widow, she will be further trapped.
“Like a waning taper”
Taper - A thin candle often used to light lamps. Waning – Going out/diminishing. The simile may imply that the light of her light is going out, perhaps with her hopes for the future.
“Flashed news”
She receives a message to tell her that her husband has died. The news is speedy and difficult to take in. She struggles to comprehend the tragic news which she has just been told.
“He - - has fallen”
The speaker uses the ‘euphemism’ fallen rather than died – maybe trying to divert the horror.
The dashes indicate the short sharp breaking sounds, perhaps this is how she read the letter. It may also suggest how her life is now.
II - - The Irony
Ironically, after his death, she receives a letter from him.
“Fog hangs thicker”
Pathetic fallacy of the ‘fog hangs thicker’ shows her grief is settling in. The fog is ominous and can cover things up, much like communications in war.
“The postman nears and goes”
The phrase ‘nears and goes’ emphasises the normality of the post man’s round. Perhaps this also reinforces the normality of the causalities and bereavements in war.
“Fresh - - firm - -“
Further irony because he is no longer “fresh” or “firm” just like their love was.
“Page full of his hoped return”
The soldier was excited to be returning home.
“In the summer weather”
Indicates what they would do upon his return. Simple pleasures. Summer weather upon his return contrasts the fog. This may be ironic as they were so hopefully of his return.
“And of new love that they would learn”
The final line heightens that tragedy if his death because they will never get to rekindle their relationship. Perhaps Hardy leaves it there because it is more powerful than describing the widow’s grief.
