Neutral Tones
Context
author - Thomas Hardy
novelist and poet
grew up poor
moved to London for his career
atheist â questioned his faith because he was so miserable
very pessimistic
This poem might be about his maid he was in a relationship with
Form & Structure
Neutral Tones - Title
this could be used to show how Hardy and his lover seem indifferent towards each other now, there is no love between them. However it could also be used to reflect the monotonous nature of the natural setting. With this Hardy could be challenging the conventions of romantic poetry (natural imagery)
Cyclical Structure
the start and end of the poem mention the pond, this repetitive nature helps reflect the lack of closure for Hardy. He is unable to escape this neutral and sad atmosphere from a break up, and is destined to stay there forever
Rhyme Scheme
the poem has a regular ABBA rhyme scheme, this regular rhyme scheme helps to reinforce the idea that Hardy has no escape from these depressive feelings, and seems stuck in the moment. There is no progression
Language
Pathetic Fallacy
With this neutral description of the setting, you could either view it as symbolic, or you could view nature as being indifferent and being influenced by the perspective and negative feelings of the poet. This setting is set in winter, the last season, this could reflect how itâs the ending moments of the relationship. The sun, which normally connotes joy and happiness is just white. With the monochrome palette, Hardy could be mirroring the lack of emotion in his relationship through the lack of colour in nature
Oxymoron
there is the oxymoron of âdeadest thing aliveâ when describing her smile. This contrast could reflect the contrast between the 2 lovers and how they arenât meant to be together, it doesnât work. This idea is seen again in âgrin of bitternessâ
And
There is a lot of use of âandâ in the poem, this helps create an effect of an angry outburst of Hardyâs feelings, all of this anger towards his lover just spill out of him