The centrality of the entity of time in its various incarnations and occurrences is amongst the most prominent of Thomas Hardy's themes. The variety of Hardy’s output, in structure, rhyme, metre, and ideas render a concise and complete account of any subject or motif impractical. Nonetheless, the ubiquity and varied application of temporal concepts and notions allow for a categorisation of different occurrences of these temporal images and a consequent thorough analysis in terms of their connections and deviations, in order to be able to isolate overarching ideologies and their interplay within Hardy’s lyrics.
The three main frameworks for these uses of time discussed are the historical past, natural imagery, and Hardy's own concept of Evolutionary Meliorism. All these categories have overlapping and adjacent connotations. In order to frame the subjects in a clear and focussed way, their respective chapters all include analyses of two individual poems regarding their corresponding motif, while the discovered implications and insights are collated with previous scholarly assertions on Hardy’s poetry.
The Poems discussed within this thesis include: The Last Chrysanthemum, The Roman Road, Rome: On the Palatine, The Darkling Thrush, To Outer Nature and The Lacking Sense.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1 Lyrical Correspondence with the Historical Past
1.1 The Roman Road
1.2 Rome: On The Palantine
2 Nature and Natural Imagery Conceptualised through Temporal Processes
2.1 The Last Chrysanthemum
2.2 The Darkling Thrush
3 Evolutionary Meliorism
3.1 The Concept of Evolutionary Meliorism
3.2 To Outer Nature
3.3 The Lacking Sense
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This thesis examines the central instrumentality and role of time in Thomas Hardy’s lyrical oeuvre. By investigating how temporal concepts and processes structure his poetry and define his worldview, the work explores how Hardy navigates the intersection of personal memory, historical past, nature, and the scientific developments of his era, ultimately aiming to define his self-coined philosophy of Evolutionary Meliorism.
- The role of time and temporal processes in Hardy’s lyrical poetry.
- Correspondence between historical past, nature, and personal narrative.
- Analysis of Hardy’s worldview, specifically Evolutionary Meliorism.
- Investigation of scientific and Darwinian influences on Hardy’s poetic output.
- Examination of recurrent motifs and structural techniques in selected poems.
Excerpt from the Book
The Roman Road
The Roman Road runs straight and bare As the pale parting-line in hair Across the heath. And thoughtful men Contrast its days of Now and Then, And delve, and measure, and compare; Visioning on the vacant air Helmeted legionnaires, who proudly rear The Eagle, as they pace again The Roman Road.
But no tall brass-helmeted legionnaire Haunts it for me. Uprises there A mother’s form upon my ken, Guiding my infant steps, as when We walked that ancient thoroughfare, The Roman Road.
(Hardy Collected Poems 248)
“The Roman Road” is a succinct piece of poetry with a simple but well-rounded rhyme scheme. The three stanzas all feature the recurring, prominent a end rhyme, forming the scheme of aabba aabc aabbac, with the titular road being the one word that is only rhymed with itself and thus stands out as a particular point of pause for the reader. A close resemblance to the historic rhyme scheme of the French fifteen-line rondeau cinquain, popularised in the 16th century, can be observed in the structure (cf. Fry 247 ff.).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the significance of time as a recurring theme in Hardy’s vast poetic output and defines the three main frameworks—historical past, nature, and Evolutionary Meliorism—used for the analysis.
1 Lyrical Correspondence with the Historical Past: Examines how Hardy bridges the gap between historical events and the personal present, highlighting the instrumental role of temporal connections in his poetry.
2 Nature and Natural Imagery Conceptualised through Temporal Processes: Analyzes the interplay between nature and temporal forces, exploring how Hardy’s poetry reflects a shifting, scientifically-informed view of the world.
3 Evolutionary Meliorism: Investigates the construction of Hardy’s worldview by reconciling scientific paradigm shifts with his personal philosophy, tracing its development and application in his lyrics.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that time is the most essential, unifying subject in Hardy’s poetry and the primary tool through which he addresses the complexities of his era.
Keywords
Thomas Hardy, Poetry, Time, Temporal Processes, Evolutionary Meliorism, Historical Past, Nature, Darwinian Theory, Lyrical Oeuvre, Moment of Vision, Roman Road, Darkling Thrush, Worldview, Literature, Victorian Era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this master’s thesis?
The thesis explores the pervasive role of time as a central theme in Thomas Hardy’s lyrical poetry and how it shapes his worldview and artistic expression.
Which specific thematic frameworks are analyzed?
The study focuses on three primary frameworks: the historical past, natural imagery, and the concept of Evolutionary Meliorism.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The goal is to demonstrate how Hardy utilizes time as a flexible instrument to bridge personal and historical narratives while navigating the existential challenges of his time.
Which scientific method is applied in this analysis?
The research conducts an in-depth lyrical analysis of selected poems, investigating their structure, meter, rhyme, and content to interpret how temporal significance is conveyed.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the connection between the historical past and lyrical persona, nature’s role through temporal processes, and the development of Hardy’s philosophy of Evolutionary Meliorism.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Thomas Hardy, Time, Evolutionary Meliorism, Nature, Historical Past, and Lyrical Oeuvre.
How does the author characterize "The Roman Road"?
The author highlights the poem’s balance between an objective, historical view of the Roman past and the poet’s intimate, personal memories of the Dorset landscape.
What is the significance of "The Darkling Thrush" in this study?
The poem is analyzed as a pivotal work that reflects the bleakness of the turn of the century while simultaneously offering a moment of vision that hints at hope amidst despair.
How does the thesis define "Evolutionary Meliorism"?
It is defined as a worldview where Hardy reconciles the ruthless, aimless processes of natural evolution with human efforts to achieve betterment and find purpose.
What role does the "moment of vision" play in Hardy's poetry?
It acts as a temporal device that allows the poet to transcend the inevitability of time and gain a flash-like insight into the deeper meaning of life.
- Quote paper
- Heiner Uebbing (Author), 2017, Thomas Hardy’s Poetry. The Instrumentality and Central Role of Time in Hardy’s Lyrical Oeuvre and World view, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1142542
