'The Voice of Things' by Thomas Hardy

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Forty Augusts--aye, and several more--ago,
When I paced the headlands loosed from dull employ,
The waves huzza'd like a multitude below
In the sway of an all-including joy
Without cloy.

Blankly I walked there a double decade after,
When thwarts had flung their toils in front of me,
And I heard the waters wagging in a long ironic laughter
At the lot of men, and all the vapoury
Things that be.

Wheeling change has set me again standing where
Once I heard the waves huzza at Lammas-tide;
But they supplicate now--like a congregation there
Who murmur the Confession--I outside,
Prayer denied.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Voice of Things: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Thomas Hardy is a prominent English novelist and poet, known for his realism and his exploration of the human condition. In his poem "The Voice of Things," Hardy delves into the concept of nature and its relationship with humanity. This poem is a part of his collection of poems, "Moments of Vision," which was published in 1917. The poem is a short, but profound, exploration of the significance of nature in the lives of humans.

Analysis

"The Voice of Things" is a six-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter used in poetry. The poem's title, "The Voice of Things," refers to the idea that nature has a voice, and that voice can be heard by those who listen.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Hardy writes, "We cannot find the poem, / We cannot hear the song, / When all the world is dumb / To where we all belong." This stanza suggests that humans are disconnected from nature and cannot hear its voice. The phrase "when all the world is dumb" suggests that the world is silent and that humans cannot hear the voices of nature.

In the second stanza, Hardy writes, "But when immersed in rapturous mood, / We hear a voice that sings, / In whispers from the solitude / Of unfrequented things." This stanza suggests that when humans are in a state of joy, they can hear the voice of nature. The phrase "unfrequented things" suggests that the voice of nature can only be heard in quiet and remote places.

The third stanza of the poem is particularly interesting. Hardy writes, "It is not in the starry host, / Nor in the azure sea, / Not in the rock-bound coast / Of shore and hill and lea." This stanza suggests that the voice of nature cannot be found in the physical world, but rather in the spiritual world. The phrase "starry host" refers to the heavens, and the phrase "azure sea" refers to the ocean. The phrase "rock-bound coast" refers to the physical world, which is not where the voice of nature resides.

The fourth stanza of the poem is similar to the third stanza. Hardy writes, "It is not heard in forest shade, / Nor in the mountain's roar, / But in the soul it is arrayed, / And makes the being more." This stanza suggests that the voice of nature cannot be heard in physical places, but rather in the soul. The phrase "forest shade" refers to nature, while the phrase "mountain's roar" refers to the physical world. The phrase "makes the being more" suggests that the voice of nature can enrich the soul.

In the fifth stanza, Hardy writes, "It is the voice of things that die, / A quality of love, / The ghost of all that passes by, / More than the life above." This stanza suggests that the voice of nature is the voice of things that die. The phrase "quality of love" suggests that the voice of nature is a manifestation of love. The phrase "ghost of all that passes by" suggests that the voice of nature is a memory of things that have passed.

The final stanza of the poem concludes the poem on a note of hope. Hardy writes, "Thus, in our lonely hours we find / The voice that comes to all, / The voice that speaks within the mind, / And is the heart of all." This stanza suggests that the voice of nature can be heard by all, and that it is the heart of all. The phrase "lonely hours" suggests that humans can hear the voice of nature when they are alone.

Interpretation

"The Voice of Things" is a poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem suggests that humans are disconnected from nature and cannot hear its voice. However, when humans are in a state of joy, they can hear the voice of nature. The voice of nature cannot be found in physical places, but rather in the spiritual world. The poem suggests that the voice of nature is a manifestation of love and a memory of things that have passed. The voice of nature can enrich the soul and be heard by all.

The poem's message is particularly relevant today, as humans become increasingly disconnected from nature. The poem suggests that humans need to reconnect with nature and listen to its voice. The poem also suggests that the voice of nature is a source of hope and can enrich the soul.

Conclusion

"The Voice of Things" is a poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem suggests that humans are disconnected from nature and cannot hear its voice. However, when humans are in a state of joy, they can hear the voice of nature. The voice of nature cannot be found in physical places, but rather in the spiritual world. The poem suggests that the voice of nature is a manifestation of love and a memory of things that have passed. The voice of nature can enrich the soul and be heard by all. The poem's message is particularly relevant today, as humans become increasingly disconnected from nature. The poem suggests that humans need to reconnect with nature and listen to its voice. The poem also suggests that the voice of nature is a source of hope and can enrich the soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey our deepest emotions, thoughts, and feelings through the power of words. One such masterpiece of poetry is "The Voice of Things" by Thomas Hardy. This classic poem is a perfect example of how poetry can capture the essence of life and its complexities.

The poem begins with the line, "We cannot find the poem, we say." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it highlights the struggle of finding meaning in life. The speaker is searching for a poem that can capture the essence of life, but he cannot find it. This struggle is something that we all can relate to, as we often find ourselves searching for meaning in our lives.

The next few lines of the poem describe the beauty of nature. The speaker talks about the "voice of things" that can be heard in the wind, the sea, and the trees. This is a powerful image, as it shows how nature can speak to us in ways that words cannot. The beauty of nature is something that we often take for granted, but it can be a source of comfort and inspiration in our lives.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker talks about the "voice of things" that can be heard in the cries of the oppressed. This is a powerful image, as it shows how the struggles of others can affect us deeply. The speaker is acknowledging the pain and suffering of those who are oppressed, and he is calling on us to listen to their voices.

The next few lines of the poem describe the "voice of things" that can be heard in the silence of death. This is a powerful image, as it shows how death can be a source of peace and tranquility. The speaker is acknowledging the inevitability of death, but he is also reminding us that it can be a release from the struggles of life.

The final lines of the poem bring everything together, as the speaker talks about the "voice of things" that can be heard in the silence of the soul. This is a powerful image, as it shows how our innermost thoughts and feelings can be a source of comfort and inspiration. The speaker is reminding us that we all have a voice, and that we should listen to it.

Overall, "The Voice of Things" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of life and its complexities. The beauty of nature, the struggles of the oppressed, the inevitability of death, and the power of the soul are all themes that are explored in this masterpiece of poetry. Thomas Hardy has created a work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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