Thomas Hardy
The Darkling Thrush
The Darkling Thrush was composed and published by Thomas Hardy at the age 60 it was a time he was reflecting on his philosophical beliefs as a Christian. He had lost hope, but in Christianity, however, his staunch Christian background still affected his poetry. “An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small, In blast-beruffled plume,” In this words, it is evident that his age had brought about some disenfranchised feeling of his religion. In the beginning of the twentieth century throughout England, pessimistic emotions were prevalent among its citizens. However, I like the way he ends the poem with a hopeful tone. In his words he says”
His happy good-night air,
Some blessed Hope,
whereof he knew
And I was unaware.”
Although he was also pessimistic about the future, there was a flair of optimism which he knew not but was confident that it existed. This is a poem I relate to when in times when most things in life are not going according to my desire. I have feelings of pessimism, but I know things will be fine with time.
In Time of ‘The Breaking of Nations’
The context of this poem is important to understand. I love how Thomas Hardy uses his imagination to capture his audience and to drive his themes. This poem was written when the first world war was at its peak. However, Thomas has used his imagination of rural settings to drive his theme of vanity. I like his description of the normal goings-on on a rural farm.
Only a man harrowing clods
In a slow, silent walk
With an old horse that stumbles and nods
Half asleep as they stalk.
In the second stanza, he uses the burning of couch grass to represent the vanity of the current war. It may seem important, but only the way of life of a people is permanent. This poem is relatable to any person, as we encounter specific periods in our life. They may seem important but at the current time but they are not permanent.
A.E. Housman
Loveliest of Trees
I choose to read and write about the loveliest of trees as I am a fond lover of nature. I like how Housman uses the first person to describe his settings. In the poem, he excites my imagination through his clear description. How he connects nature to life is just beautiful. Seasons come and pass, and that is the nature of life. The more we live, the lesser years we have to live. Housman although pessimistic about youth. In the first stanza, he reminds us of the beauty of nature and each season. Each season has its beauty. I take it from this he meant that all human beings too have their own “beauty” or talents. Thus, we should appreciate everyone in our lives. This is a poem I would read to a friend to remind him/her that we should enjoy every minute of our lives as we have limited time on earth. According to Housman, he puts it the limit at seventy in stanza two.
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.
To an Athlete Dying Young
To an Athlete Dying Young is a poem Housman dedicated to an athlete he admired a lot but never reciprocated the same amount of admiration. I really relate to this poem personally as I have encountered the same feelings for someone who did not feel the same way. I love the rhyme scheme Housman has used in the poem. This poem continues to show his pessimism on youth. He, however, in this poem notes that it’s only during the youth years that we get to enjoy life.
So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
In these words, Housman describes a different attitude towards dying young. He saw it as a blessing in disguise. Moses Jackson, the athlete he admired never had the chance to see his fame fade or the cheers he used to hear wear down into silence. I loved that even though dying young is not a thing to be celebrated. Housman found a better way to describe the death of Moses Jackson.
Voices from World War One
Edward Thomas
This is No Case of Petty Right or Wrong
This is No Case of Petty Right or Wrong is a poem in which Edward Thomas shows his true feeling with regards to the War. His father who he considers a patriot only because of the war. I like the argumentative structure of the poem as it gives the reader the feelings and aggression in the poem. Thomas Edward joined the army in the war in France. He considers the discussion on patriotism to go beyond the scope of philosophy and politics. He says he will not hate Germans to prove he is patriotic or to please the newspapers.
Can judge. I hate not Germans, nor grow hot
With love of Englishmen, to please newspapers.
The Dead
Rupert Brooke is a poet who grew up in the middle class and experienced the joys of life which are imminent in his poetry. I like how he acknowledges that everyone including the dead, experienced the simple pleasures of life. In the poem The Dead, he explains it is natural to life that all human beings experience the joys and sorrows of life.
These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth
I like how timeless the poem is as all humans regardless of the time can relate to life and death. In the second stanza, he describes life after death. This is quite a controversial topic. However, he puts it to the best of his understanding.