'Ah , Are You Digging on My Grave?' by Thomas Hardy
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"Ah, are you digging on my grave,
My loved one? -- planting rue?"
-- "No: yesterday he went to wed
One of the brightest wealth has bred.
'It cannot hurt her now,' he said,
'That I should not be true.'"
"Then who is digging on my grave,
My nearest dearest kin?"
-- "Ah, no: they sit and think, 'What use!
What good will planting flowers produce?
No tendance of her mound can loose
Her spirit from Death's gin.'"
"But someone digs upon my grave?
My enemy? -- prodding sly?"
-- "Nay: when she heard you had passed the Gate
That shuts on all flesh soon or late,
She thought you no more worth her hate,
And cares not where you lie.
"Then, who is digging on my grave?
Say -- since I have not guessed!"
-- "O it is I, my mistress dear,
Your little dog , who still lives near,
And much I hope my movements here
Have not disturbed your rest?"
"Ah yes! You dig upon my grave...
Why flashed it not to me
That one true heart was left behind!
What feeling do we ever find
To equal among human kind
A dog's fidelity!"
"Mistress, I dug upon your grave
To bury a bone, in case
I should be hungry near this spot
When passing on my daily trot.
I am sorry, but I quite forgot
It was your resting place."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Digging into the Depths of Thomas Hardy's "Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?"
Thomas Hardy's "Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that delves into the themes of death, love, and betrayal. Published in 1914, the poem reflects Hardy's disillusionment with the world and his belief in the inevitability of death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's structure, language, and imagery to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Structure and Form
"Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?" is a six-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, but it serves to enhance the poem's themes and emotions.
The poem's first five stanzas follow a consistent pattern, with each stanza describing a different person or animal who has come to the speaker's grave. The final stanza, however, takes a different turn, revealing the speaker's identity and the reason for her haunting.
The repetition of the phrase "Ah, are you digging on my grave?" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of foreboding and anticipation, as if something terrible is about to happen. This repetition also serves to reinforce the theme of death and the inevitability of the speaker's fate.
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?" is the use of language and imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and the poem's themes. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative descriptions of the people and animals who come to the speaker's grave.
In the first stanza, the speaker imagines a lover who has come to visit her grave. The image of the lover "kneeling down upon the sod" creates a sense of intimacy and tenderness, while the description of the "daisy-flowered" grave suggests a sense of innocence and purity.
In the second stanza, the speaker imagines a dog who has come to the grave. The image of the dog "snuffing at the gravestone" conveys a sense of curiosity and playfulness, while the description of the "rude forefathers" buried nearby suggests a sense of history and tradition.
In the third stanza, the speaker imagines a farmer who has come to the grave. The image of the farmer "ploughing through my stubble-fields" creates a sense of industry and productivity, while the description of the "brown bird singing" suggests a sense of life and vitality.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker imagines a friend who has come to the grave. The image of the friend "laying wreaths" conveys a sense of mourning and remembrance, while the description of the "new grass growing" suggests a sense of renewal and hope.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker imagines a mole who has come to the grave. The image of the mole "burrowing" conveys a sense of subterranean activity, while the description of the "worm that crawls in the soil" suggests a sense of decay and decomposition.
The final stanza reveals the speaker's identity and the reason for her haunting. The speaker, it turns out, is not dead but alive and listening to the voices of those who come to her grave. She is haunted by the memory of a man who betrayed her and left her to die alone. The image of the "worm that does not know the sun" suggests a sense of darkness and despair, while the description of the "ghost unbloody of finger and toe" suggests a sense of otherworldly presence.
Meaning and Significance
"Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?" is a poem that explores the complex emotions surrounding death, love, and betrayal. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all serve to enhance its themes and emotions, creating a haunting and thought-provoking work of literature.
One interpretation of the poem is that it reflects Hardy's own disillusionment with the world and his belief in the inevitability of death. The repeated question "Ah, are you digging on my grave?" suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if the speaker knows that death is an inevitable part of life.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it reflects Hardy's views on love and betrayal. The final stanza reveals that the speaker is haunted by the memory of a man who betrayed her and left her to die alone. The image of the "ghost unbloody of finger and toe" suggests a sense of otherworldly presence, as if the man's betrayal has left an indelible mark on the speaker's soul.
Overall, "Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?" is a powerful and haunting work of literature that explores themes of death, love, and betrayal. Its simple structure, vivid imagery, and evocative language all serve to enhance its themes and emotions, creating a work that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave? A classic poem written by Thomas Hardy that has captivated readers for generations. This poem is a haunting and melancholic piece that explores the themes of death, loss, and the inevitability of the end of life. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Hardy to convey his message.
The poem begins with a question, "Ah, are you digging on my grave?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the speaker's awareness of their own mortality. The use of the word "ah" adds a sense of surprise and shock, as if the speaker has just stumbled upon someone digging their own grave. This line also introduces the idea of someone else being responsible for the speaker's death, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The second stanza continues with the question, "My loved one, planting rue?" This line suggests that the speaker's loved one is the one digging the grave. The use of the word "rue" is significant, as it is a plant associated with regret and sorrow. This line implies that the speaker's loved one is mourning their death and is planting rue as a way of expressing their grief.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker asks, "Did you see that hand, all alone, / Come and go from my narrow bed?" This line suggests that someone else has been visiting the speaker's grave, possibly to desecrate it. The use of the word "narrow" emphasizes the claustrophobic nature of the grave, and the idea of someone else coming and going from it adds a sense of unease and violation.
The fourth stanza is where the poem's structure becomes more apparent. Each line begins with the word "But," which creates a sense of contrast and opposition. The speaker asks, "But the rain and the night and the moorland wind / Are tearing the granite blocks apart." This line suggests that even though someone may be digging on the speaker's grave, nature is ultimately the force that will destroy it. The use of the words "rain," "night," and "moorland wind" creates a sense of bleakness and isolation, as if the speaker's grave is in a desolate and unforgiving landscape.
The fifth stanza returns to the idea of someone else being responsible for the speaker's death. The speaker asks, "Did you hear the name I called?" This line suggests that the speaker was calling out for help before they died, but no one came to their aid. The use of the word "name" implies that the speaker was calling out to someone specific, possibly their loved one who is now mourning their death.
The sixth stanza is where the poem's title comes into play. The speaker asks, "O yes, you're digging on my grave! / Why did you bury me deep?" This line suggests that the speaker is now aware that someone is digging on their grave, and they are questioning why they were buried so deeply. The use of the exclamation mark adds a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is pleading for answers.
The seventh stanza returns to the idea of nature being the ultimate force that will destroy the speaker's grave. The speaker asks, "O veilèd eyes, why are you bent / On the dusty grave?" This line suggests that even though someone may be mourning the speaker's death, nature will eventually reclaim their body and their grave will become nothing but dust. The use of the word "veilèd" adds a sense of mystery and secrecy, as if the speaker is addressing an unseen force.
The eighth and final stanza is where the poem's meaning becomes clear. The speaker asks, "What whispers from the dust?" This line suggests that even though the speaker is dead, their spirit lives on in the dust of their grave. The use of the word "whispers" adds a sense of intimacy and secrecy, as if the speaker is sharing a secret with the reader. The final line, "Ah, keep my secret well!" suggests that the speaker has a secret that they want to keep hidden, even in death.
In terms of literary devices, Hardy uses repetition, imagery, and symbolism to convey his message. The repetition of the question, "Ah, are you digging on my grave?" creates a sense of unease and repetition, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of death and decay. The use of imagery, such as the rain, night, and moorland wind, creates a sense of isolation and bleakness, as if the speaker's grave is in a desolate and unforgiving landscape. The use of symbolism, such as the rue plant and the dust of the grave, adds layers of meaning to the poem, suggesting that even in death, there is still life and secrets to be uncovered.
In conclusion, Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave? is a haunting and melancholic poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and the inevitability of the end of life. Hardy's use of repetition, imagery, and symbolism creates a sense of unease and isolation, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of death and decay. The poem's structure, with each line beginning with the word "But," creates a sense of contrast and opposition, suggesting that even though someone may be digging on the speaker's grave, nature is ultimately the force that will destroy it. Overall, this poem is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that continues to captivate readers to this day.
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