the voice - Thomas hardy Flashcards
what is the central assertion of the voice?
separation from someone once close and the passing of time causes sadness and nostalgia
what are the key themes in Thomas Hardy’s poem?
nature
death
supernatural
nostalgia
how does hardy explore nature in the poem?
reflection on time passing, b/c the seasons. autumn can be synonymous to old age
how does hardy explore death in the poem The Voice?
the woman in the poem is dead in either a metaphoric way or actuality, her voice he imagines is supernatural
how does hardy explore supernatural in the poem?
the voice he is imagining is supernatural in some way bc the woman is dead, poem also implies him questioning his own sanity during the end of the poem
how does hardy explore nostalgia in the poem The Voice?
the voice reminds him of good times and it lets him revisit happier moments from the past
nature quotes in hardy’s poem?
- “leaves around me falling”
- “wind oozing”
- “Or is it only the breeze”
death quotes in hardy’s poem?
- “dissolved to wan wistlessness”
- “thus I; faltering forward”
- same for “norward”
supernatural quotes in hardy’s poem?
- “can it be you that I hear?”
- “heard no more again far or near?”
nostalgia quotes in hardy’s poem?
- “now you are not as you were”
- “when our day was fair”
- “let me view you, then” paradox, can’t see only hear her. wants to remember her and therefore good times
what is the letter rhyme scheme?
ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH
- stages of grief, same with the four stanzas
- big rhyme change in final stanza emphasis emotion and grief
what does this quote show “leaves around me falling” in reference to theme 1?
pathetic fallacy, she is gone = metaphor of leaves falling. everything around the speaker is carrying on even though his world has stopped
what does this quote show “wind oozing” in reference to theme 1?
almost onomatopoeic, makes the reader thinks he continues to love her, and same with everything carrying on
what does this quote show “Or is it only the breeze” in reference to theme 1?
uncertainty grows here, doubt as well. shows the switch to a sadder tone.
what does this quote show “dissolved to wan wistlessness” in reference to theme 2?
onomatopoeic imitation of wind + sibilance + pathetic fallacy to imply hesitation and the intense emotion the speaker feels. emphasises approach to her death.
what does this quote show “thus I; faltering forward” in reference to theme 2?
alliteration = struggle to continue forward without her or with age. change in rhyme scheme emphasise sad sentence
what does this quote show “norward” in reference to theme 2?
alliteration = struggle to continue forward without her or with age. change in rhyme scheme emphasise sad sentence
what does this quote show -“can it be you that I hear?” in reference to theme 3?
not demanding bc rhetorical question. disembodies voice = implications of unnatural but not ghost and stuff
what does this quote show “heard no more again far or near?” in reference to theme 3?
searching for her, continues hesitation and intense emotion. last line of third stanza, filled with doubt about this woman
what does this quote show “now you are not as you were” in reference to theme 4?
she has changed, bc of death or something else. comparison
what does this quote show “when our day was fair” in reference to theme 4?
past tense, positive connotations + fond memories, longing for when their relationship was good
what does this quote show “let me view you, then” in reference to theme 4?
paradox, can’t see only hear her. wants to remember her and therefore good times
