poetry analysis - neutral tones

‘A F L L O T S S’

• a few leaves lay on the starving sod

‘ P E W G L’

• pond edged with greyish leaves

‘ D T A’

‘ deadest thing alive’

‘ L A O B A …’

• like an ominous bird awing …

Structure + context

• abba rhyme scheme - regular replayed memory many times

• Cyclical structure - can’t move on

• Indentations of last line - imperfections in relationship, reader questioning neutrality

• 4 stanzas 4 lines - nothing changes, neutral emotions, preserved in memory

• Hardy known for dark realism in prose - could represent unhappy first marriage or negative views on Industrial Revolution

Comparisons - when we two parted

• both explore lost love + aftermath and sorrow

  • NT focuses on emotional detachment and decay of relationship, tone remains consistent and visual and sensory imagery creates desolate atmosphere

  • WWTP examines pain and longing as well as betrayed and impact of broken bond, vivid images intensify emotions, darkness and coldness reinforce betrayal and loss

• Both had bitter tone to convey sadnesss and sorrow

  • NT narratives in first person so voice is reflective, presnests personal observations of past conveys somber and restrained tone and language is empty + suppressed

  • WWTP is also first person but voice more direct, sense of hurt and addresses absent lover directly adding anguish, carries more intense + passionate tone evoking stronger

• Structure + form used differently to present breakdown of raltionship

  • NT narratives has consistent pattern of rhyme + stanza, strict rhyme scheme implies he can convey emotions is more muted + controlled manner, creates sense of control to contrast intense emotions of poem

  • WWTP consist of 4 stanzas of 8 lines but no uniformed rhyme scheme, adds strong emphasis to end of each line, does t folllow specific structure so has greater emotional intensity + dramatic effect