Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Going" is a poem by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1912. The poem was written following the death of Hardy's first wife, Emma, and expresses the poet's feelings of grief and loss. Hardy was known for his use of the natural landscape to reflect the inner emotional states of his characters, and "The Going" is no exception.

Content:

"The Going" is a lyric poem in which the speaker mourns the loss of a loved one. The poem explores themes of grief, loss, and the transience of life. The speaker is consumed with feelings of regret and guilt, questioning whether they did enough to show their love and appreciation for the departed. The poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the natural world, which reflect the speaker's inner emotional turmoil.

Form:

"The Going" is composed of eight stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem has a regular rhyme scheme (ABCB) and is written in iambic pentameter. The poem's regular form and meter reflect Hardy's interest in traditional poetic forms, while its use of enjambment gives it a flowing, conversational quality.

Poetic Elements:

Hardy employs a range of poetic elements in "The Going" to create a sense of emotional depth and intensity. The poem is marked by its use of vivid imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the natural world. Hardy also uses repetition to emphasize the themes of grief and loss, and the poem is notable for its use of rhetorical questions, which reflect the speaker's feelings of uncertainty and doubt.

Summary:

"The Going" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the transience of life. The poem's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of emotional depth and intensity, while its use of rhetorical questions reflects the speaker's feelings of uncertainty and doubt. The poem is notable for its use of the natural landscape to reflect the inner emotional states of the speaker, a technique for which Hardy was renowned. Overall, "The Going" is a deeply moving and memorable work that continues to resonate with readers today.

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