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Hardy: Poems

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'Hardy: Poems' by Thomas Hardy, edited by Peter Washington, is a collection of poems that some readers feel is incomplete and lacks some of Hardy's most well-known and admired works. The opinions suggest that Thomas Hardy, known for his controversial novels like Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, preferred to call himself a poet in his lifetime. is described as containing moderately short poems that resonate with the same tragic sense of life found in Hardy's novels, focusing on themes of societal views on women, historical projects, and landscape descriptions.

Characters:

Characters in Hardy's poetry often represent broader societal struggles and personal tragedies.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by short yet impactful poems that reflect deep emotional and tragic themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The poems reflect Hardy's exploration of tragic themes and societal issues, similar to his novels.

Setting:

The settings primarily take place in rural England, reflecting both the natural world and societal issues.

Pacing:

The pacing is moderately quick due to the short nature of the poems, but it's recommended to read them slowly.

Notes:

Thomas Hardy is more famous for his novels like 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' and 'Jude the Obscure' but preferred to be known as a poet.
He is buried in the poet's section of Westminster Abbey.
Hardy's poems deal with many of the same themes as his novels, often reflecting a tragic sense of life.
Reading too many of Hardy's poems at once may be overwhelming due to their heavy themes.
Many readers consider Hardy's poetry to be profound and beautiful, despite its sadness.
'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' is known for its deep exploration of societal issues, particularly regarding women.
Hardy is often viewed as an early feminist for his social commentary on women's issues in his works.
He wrote in a time when the fantasy genre was not widely read, focusing instead on social realism.
Hardy was influenced by ancient cultures and myths, much like Dante before him.
Readers often find Hardy's writing to be both beautiful and bleak.
Some readers initially dislike Hardy's work but come to appreciate it later in life, particularly after experiencing personal challenges.
Thomas Hardy's writing style is indicative of 19th-century literature, which can be difficult for modern readers to engage with at first.
He is recognized for his detailed descriptions of landscape and agricultural life.
Many consider Hardy's work to embody the theme of tragedy, often leaving readers feeling heartbroken.
Hardy is described as a writer whose stories often end in sadness, reflecting the harsh realities of life.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of societal oppression, tragedy, and human suffering.

Has Romance?

There is a medium presence of romance, often seen through tragic lenses.

From The Publisher:

The Everyman's Library Pocket Poets hardcover series is popular for its compact size and reasonable price which does not compromise content. Poems: Hardy contains poems from Moments of Vision, Satires of Circumstance, Veteris Vestigia Flammae, Heredity, Short Stories, Afterwards, and an index of first lines.

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1 comment(s)

Incredible
2 years

In his astute observations of human foibles, Thomas Hardy never disappoints the reader. Like his novels, his poems depict aspects of the human experience, both sweet and bitter. He does not shirk from painting a portrait of human suffering but allows the reader to mull over his character's misfortunes. Hopes and disappointments about; social and political satire take place side by side. Hardy's poems are poignant, with story telling at its best, however, odes to the beauty of nature also feature in his lyrical verse, so you will be yearning for more after reading this collection! 

 
 
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