when we two p + neutral tones

Introduction

The poems "Neutral Tones" and "When we two parted", both describe a love that has been lost, and the pain it has caused the speaker.

The relationship - Neutral Tones

Neutral Tones explores the pain and despair the speaker feels as he remembers a relationship in the past that was over for some time before it actually ended. It is thought that the speaker is Hardy himself and was written about a relationship he once had that did not last.

The relationship - When We Two Parted

Similarly in "When We Two Parted" it is thought Byron is the speaker and that the other person in the relationship was Lady Frances Webster, with whom he had a secret flirtation with. It is thought this was over for a couple of years prior to him writing the poem illustrating Hardy's ongoing hurt and feelings of loss.

Sematic Feild of Death - Neutral Tones

Both "Neutral Tones" and "When we two parted" use a semantic field of death. "Neutral Tones" sets the scene with pathetic fallacy. A cold bleak landscape is used and there is a sense of everything dying. The poet uses images from nature such as the "starving sod" which would have once been fertile and alive, but is now struggling to survive in harsh conditions, which symbolises the state of the couples relationship.

Sematic Field of Death - When We Two Parted

Pathetic fallacy is also used in "When We Two Parted" to show the cold atmosphere with the phrase "dew of the morning". It also contains many references to death. The poet tells how "a knell in mine ear" is how it feels to hear the womans name. A "knell" is a bell ring at funerals and acts as a metaphor for the love that has died. The poet is mourning the loss of love. It is almost like the other person is dead so strong are his feelings of loss.

Bitter Tone - When We Two Parted

Both poems have a tone of bitterness to them. In "When We Two Parted" the poet shows a sense of bitterness that "thy heart could forget" and that their "spirit deceives" showing that he may feel betrayal and sadness that he has been forgotten. In addition, what possibly makes the hurt even more painful is that the speaker has to grieve in silence just as the relationship was carried out in secrecy. Byron also uses imagery associated with pain to describe the end of the relationship. The term "sever" conjours up images of something being cut off and causing a great deal of hurt.

Bitter Tone - Neutral Tones

Likewise, in "Neutral Tones" the poets speaks that "love deceives", suggesting that he feels there was deception in the relationship and now thinks that love itself is deceitful, showing bitterness.

Withdrawing From A Relationship - Neutral Tones

Both poems suggest that the other person in the relationship began to withdraw from it before it actually finished for good. In "Neutral Tones" we are told of "tedious riddles" suggesting the relationship had reached a point where it was boring, dull and even pointless in trying to save.

Withdrawing From A Relationship - When We Two Parted

Similarly in "When We Two Parted" we can guess that the other person no longer felt passion for the speaker as "pale grew thy cheek and cold" suggesting a loss of warmth and affection towards him.

Withdrawing from a Relationship - Neutral Tones (more)

It could be said that "Neutral Tones", the speaker is almost relieved that their relationship is finally over as keeping the relationship going has caused unhappiness and pain for the speaker. The oxymoron "smile on your mouth was the deadest thing" highlights how unnatural and bad their relationship was, as a smile should show happiness and joy, not death and misery.

Form and Structure - Neutral Tones

Both poems are written in four regular stanzas, which could show deep reflective controlled thoughts about the relationships within the poems. "Neutral Tones" has a circular structure, ending where is began, beside a pond. This could reveal Hardy's inability to move forward from this memory as the pain is still so raw.

Form and Structure - When We Two Parted

Likewise, in "When we two parted", the repetition of the line "In silence and tears" at both the beginning and end of the poem creates a similar circular structure. This could show that the poet cannot move on either and is forever stuck with his despair.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both poems show the feelings of loss and hurt that a failed relationship can bring to someone and how this can continue to impact long after the relationship is over, leaving deep emotional wounds.