The Voice
by Thomas Hardy
Woman much missed, how you call to me, call to me,
Saying that now you are not as you were
When you had changed from the one who was all to me,
But as at first, when our day was fair.Can it be you that I hear? Let me view you, then,
Standing as when I drew near to the town
Where you would wait for me: yes, as I knew you then,
Even to the original air-blue gown!Or is it only the breeze, in its listlessness
Travelling across the wet mead to me here,
You being ever dissolved to wan wistlessness,
Heard no more again far or near?Thus I; faltering forward,
Leaves around me falling,
Wind oozing thin through the thorn from norward,
And the woman calling.
Summary of The Voice
- The Essence of the Poem: Thomas Hardy’s “The Voice” is a poignant exploration of longing, memory, and the elusive nature of voices after loss. The poem centers on a speaker haunted by the perceived voice of a woman, prompting him to question whether it’s a genuine echo of his beloved or merely a trick of the wind.
- Central Idea: At its heart, the poem explores how memory can blur the lines between reality and imagination, and how the love for someone transcends even death. The speaker grapples with the desire to reconnect with the past, but ultimately accepts the fleeting nature of such encounters.
- A Timeless Exploration: “The Voice” is a universally relatable poem that resonates with anyone who has experienced loss and continues to feel the presence of a loved one in their memories. It offers a beautiful and melancholic meditation on the enduring power of love and the human capacity for grief.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “The Voice”
Literary devices are the tools authors employ to enrich their writing, create layers of meaning, and connect with readers on a deeper level. Hardy masterfully uses these techniques in “The Voice” to evoke emotion and explore complex themes.
- Paradox: A statement that appears contradictory yet holds truth. Consider the line, “Can it be you that I hear?” The act of hearing a voice inherently implies an absence, the person isn’t physically present to speak. This contradiction highlights the speaker’s confused state and the ethereal nature of the experience.
- Symbolism: The poem is rich in symbols. “The breeze” itself symbolizes the fading memory of the woman, constantly shifting and elusive. The “wet mead” could represent the speaker’s sorrow, a landscape saturated with grief. The woman’s “air-blue gown” isn’t just clothing; it’s a vibrant, specific memory, anchoring the vision in a particular moment in time.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds adds musicality and emphasizes certain phrases. Notice the repetition of the ‘f’ sound in “faltering forward,” drawing attention to the speaker’s hesitant movement and internal struggle.
- Imagery: Hardy’s use of vivid imagery appeals to the reader’s senses, creating a strong emotional response. Phrases like “Leaves around me falling” and “Wind oozing thin through the thorn” paint a picture of a desolate autumn landscape, mirroring the speaker’s emotional state. The detailed description of the “air-blue gown” is a particularly striking example, creating a clear and lasting impression.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words creates a sense of harmony. The repetition of the ‘u’ sound in “Thus I” and “you” subtly links the speaker to the lost woman, emphasizing the enduring connection.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. For example:
“Saying that now you are not as you were
When you had changed from the one who was all to me,”This technique creates a sense of flow and mimics the speaker’s rambling thoughts and the elusive nature of memory.
- Rhetorical Question: A question posed for effect, without requiring an answer. “Can it be you that I hear?” is a prime example, immediately drawing the reader into the speaker’s internal questioning and uncertainty.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “The Voice”
Poetic devices are specific techniques used by poets to create rhythm, sound, and meaning in their work. “The Voice” showcases several such devices that contribute to its overall impact.
- Stanza: The poem is composed of four stanzas, each containing four lines. This consistent structure provides a sense of order and control amidst the emotional turmoil.
- Quatrain: Each stanza is a quatrain, a poetic form that has been used in many traditions. The quatrain’s concise structure lends itself to focused expression and creates a sense of completeness within each stanza.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem has an irregular rhyme scheme. Some lines share end sounds, but there is no consistent pattern, reflecting the speaker’s unsettled mind and the fragmented nature of memory.
- End Rhyme: The poem contains occasional end rhymes, such as “me” paired with “me” and “town” with “gown.” While the rhyme is loose, these subtle pairings add a gentle musicality to the verses.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from the poem can be particularly impactful when discussing themes of loss, memory, and enduring love:
“Can it be you that I hear? Let me view you, then,
Standing as when I drew near to the town
Where you would wait for me: yes, as I knew you then,
Even to the original air-blue gown!”
These lines encapsulate the speaker’s desperate desire to reconnect with the past and the vividness of his cherished memories. The image of the “air-blue gown” is particularly evocative, representing a specific moment of joy and connection that continues to haunt him.