At an Inn - Hardy Flashcards
What is the poem about?
The poem is known to be about Florence Hunker, a married writer who Hardy developed an affection for while still married to his estranged wife Emma.
What does ‘veiled smiles bespoke their thought of what we were’ suggest?
It suggests layers of euphemism and secrecy, reminiscent of nuns and brides, image of veiling implying that there is something hidden behind the smile. marital imagery implies that the people at the inn mistook them for a couple
What does ‘Palsied unto death, the pane-fly’s tune’ imply?
It suggests a frustrating and futile image, indicating that the awkward encounter has paralyzed the relationship. Their love now is as futile as a fly repeatedly flying into a window pane
What is the significance of ‘Why cast he on our port’?
Burns questions God about why they were shown something beautiful that they couldn’t have, reflecting on the nature of desire. Perhaps in the same way he could be asking why they have the ability for sex if they cannot have it.
What does ‘Why shaped us for his sport in after-hours’ allude to?
It alludes to King Lear, suggesting that love leads to suffering and obsession, as they are at the mercy of the gods. ‘as flies to wanton boys we are to th’gods. they kill us for their sport’. Love leads to suffering and obsession: throughout the poem, like Gatsby, he revisits one day. ‘O severing sea and land, O laws of men’ - he blames both nature and society.
what does the break in metre signify
further accentuates their division
What does ‘O severing sea and land, O laws of men’ express?
It expresses blame towards both nature and society for their division.
What is the significance of ‘the spheres above made them our ministers’?
It uses celestial and marital imagery to question whether superficial forces brought them together, despite Hardy being agnostic.
What does ‘Love’s own pair’ imply?
he describes them as ‘Love’s own pair’ using an allusion to cupid - here, the personification of Love with a capital letter creates the image of a perfect love, blessed by the gods and disconnected from the world.
