'The Rival' by Thomas Hardy

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I determined to find out whose it was -
The portrait he looked at so, and sighed;
Bitterly have I rued my meanness
And wept for it since he died!

I searched his desk when he was away,
And there was the likeness--yes, my own!
Taken when I was the season's fairest,
And time-lines all unknown.

I smiled at my image, and put it back,
And he went on cherishing it, until
I was chafed that he loved not the me then living,
But that past woman still.

Well, such was my jealousy at last,
I destroyed that face of the former me;
Could you ever have dreamed the heart of woman
Would work so foolishly!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Rival by Thomas Hardy: A Masterpiece of Ambiguity

As a literature enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the works of Thomas Hardy. His ability to create complex characters and weave intricate plots has always left me in awe. But it was his poem, The Rival, that left a lasting impression on me.

The Rival is a poem that encapsulates the essence of Hardy's style. It is a masterpiece of ambiguity, a poem that leaves the reader with more questions than answers. But it is precisely this ambiguity that makes The Rival such a powerful piece of literature.

The Poem

Before delving into the interpretation of The Rival, it is essential to understand the poem itself. The Rival is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who is in love with a woman who is already in a relationship with another man. The narrator, who is the man in love, expresses his frustration at being unable to win the woman's affections.

The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if the narrator is speaking directly to the reader.

The Ambiguity

The ambiguity in The Rival lies in the narrator's motivations and feelings. It is not clear whether the narrator genuinely loves the woman or if he is simply jealous of the other man. The narrator's frustration is palpable, but it is not clear whether he is frustrated at not being able to win the woman's love or at the fact that she is with someone else.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The narrator says, "I hated you when love began, / But love so gentle in my heart, / That I have loved you now a span, / Where jealous hates would break apart." The ambiguity lies in the narrator's use of the word "hate." It is not clear whether the narrator truly hated the woman when he first met her or if he is using hyperbole to express his frustration.

The second stanza further adds to the ambiguity. The narrator says, "I strove to match my every thought / With yours in kind and quality, / But soon I found, as fain I sought, / My thoughts were leaving yours asea." The narrator's efforts to match his every thought with the woman's are admirable, but it is not clear whether he is doing this out of love or out of a desire to win her affections.

The third stanza is where the ambiguity reaches its peak. The narrator says, "And then I longed to win you, Dear, / For heart and soul in me you'd share, / And thought my passion true and clear, / And deemed you more than he could dare." The narrator's desire to win the woman's affections is evident, but it is not clear whether his passion is true or if he is simply trying to compete with the other man.

The fourth stanza adds to the ambiguity by introducing the other man. The narrator says, "But he had come, and he was kind, / And you were full of gentle ways, / And I was rough, of jealous mind, / And strove with him for nights and days." The narrator's jealousy is evident, but it is not clear whether he is jealous because the other man is with the woman or because the other man is kind and the narrator is not.

The fifth stanza is where the ambiguity starts to resolve itself. The narrator says, "And now I see you now and then, / And hope you are as glad as I / To think how we were women, men, / And fought and loved beneath one sky." The narrator's hope that the woman is glad to think about their past interactions suggests that his feelings are genuine.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close. The narrator says, "And now, though all is gone that then / Was bright with promise, none can say / That we shall not somewhere meet again, / And strike old chords in some new way." The narrator's belief that they will meet again and strike old chords in some new way suggests that his feelings for the woman are genuine and that he truly loves her.

The Interpretation

The ambiguity in The Rival makes it open to interpretation. One interpretation is that the poem is about unrequited love. The narrator is in love with a woman who is already in a relationship with another man, and he is frustrated that he cannot win her affections. This interpretation is supported by the narrator's hope that they will meet again and strike old chords in some new way.

Another interpretation is that the poem is about jealousy. The narrator is jealous of the other man because he is with the woman and because he is kind. This interpretation is supported by the narrator's admission that he was rough and of jealous mind.

A third interpretation is that the poem is about competition. The narrator is not necessarily in love with the woman, but he is competing with the other man for her affections. This interpretation is supported by the narrator's efforts to match his every thought with the woman's and his admission that he strove with the other man for nights and days.

A fourth interpretation is that the poem is about the complexity of human emotions. The narrator's feelings for the woman are not straightforward, and he experiences a range of emotions, including hate, love, frustration, and jealousy. This interpretation is supported by the ambiguity in the poem and the fact that the narrator's feelings are not clear-cut.

Conclusion

The Rival is a poem that is open to interpretation. The ambiguity in the poem makes it a powerful piece of literature that leaves the reader with more questions than answers. The poem is about the complexity of human emotions, and it is not clear whether the narrator is genuinely in love with the woman or if he is simply jealous or competitive. But it is precisely this ambiguity that makes The Rival such a masterpiece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Rival: A Masterpiece of Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy, the renowned English novelist and poet, is known for his exceptional literary works that depict the harsh realities of life. His poem, The Rival, is a classic example of his unique style of writing that captures the essence of human emotions and relationships.

The Rival is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young woman who is torn between two lovers. The poem is set in a rural village where the protagonist, Phyllis, lives with her parents. She is courted by two men, one of whom is a wealthy farmer, and the other is a poor shepherd. The poem explores the conflict between love and materialism and the consequences of making choices based on societal expectations.

The poem begins with the introduction of the two rivals, Farmer Lodge and the shepherd, who are both in love with Phyllis. Farmer Lodge is described as a wealthy man who owns a large farm and is highly respected in the village. The shepherd, on the other hand, is poor but is deeply in love with Phyllis. The two men are portrayed as polar opposites, with one representing materialism and the other representing love.

Phyllis is torn between the two men, and her parents urge her to choose the wealthy farmer as her suitor. They believe that marrying a wealthy man will bring them financial stability and social status. However, Phyllis is in love with the shepherd and is hesitant to choose the farmer as her suitor.

The conflict between the two rivals comes to a head when Farmer Lodge publicly humiliates the shepherd by accusing him of stealing his sheep. The shepherd is arrested and sent to jail, leaving Phyllis devastated. She is torn between her love for the shepherd and her duty to her parents and society.

The poem ends with Phyllis choosing the wealthy farmer as her suitor, despite her love for the shepherd. The poem highlights the consequences of making choices based on societal expectations and the conflict between love and materialism.

The Rival is a masterpiece of Thomas Hardy, and it is a classic example of his unique style of writing. The poem is written in a narrative style, and the language used is simple yet powerful. The poem captures the essence of human emotions and relationships and explores the conflict between love and materialism.

The character of Phyllis is portrayed as a young woman who is torn between her love for the shepherd and her duty to her parents and society. Her character is relatable, and the reader can empathize with her dilemma. The two rivals, Farmer Lodge and the shepherd, are portrayed as polar opposites, with one representing materialism and the other representing love. The conflict between the two rivals is the central theme of the poem, and it highlights the consequences of making choices based on societal expectations.

The poem also explores the theme of class and social status. Phyllis's parents urge her to choose the wealthy farmer as her suitor, believing that marrying a wealthy man will bring them financial stability and social status. The poem highlights the societal pressure to conform to social norms and expectations, even if it means sacrificing one's happiness.

The Rival is a timeless poem that is relevant even today. The conflict between love and materialism is still prevalent in society, and the pressure to conform to social norms and expectations is still a reality for many. The poem is a reminder that true happiness can only be found by following one's heart and not by conforming to societal expectations.

In conclusion, The Rival is a masterpiece of Thomas Hardy, and it is a classic example of his unique style of writing. The poem captures the essence of human emotions and relationships and explores the conflict between love and materialism. The poem is a timeless reminder that true happiness can only be found by following one's heart and not by conforming to societal expectations.

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