He Never Expected Much Revision

Question 1

Who wrote HNEM?

Answer 1

Thomas Hardy

Question 2

Context about Hardy?

Answer 2

Wrote the poem at 86 and died at 87. Estranged from his wife, Emma, and interested in impressionistic art.

Question 3

What are the three main ideas in HNEM?

Answer 3

1. Have low expectations for life so you can enjoy life more.
2. Life and death are steady and predictable and it is the humans who cause changes.
3. The World has been a consistent teacher and companion to the poet.

Question 4

What are two poetic techniques in HNEM with examples?

Answer 4

“clouds” “hills” and “serenity” - semantic field of nature and peace.
Three stanzas symbolize the three stages of life: childhood, adulthood, elderly