During Wind and Rain
By Thomas Hardy
They sing their dearest songs—
He, she, all of them—yea,
Treble and tenor and bass,
And one to play;
With the candles mooning each face. . .
Ah, no; the years O!
How the sick leaves reel down in throngs!They clear the creeping moss—
Elders and juniors—aye,
Making the pathways neat
And the garden gay;
And they build a shady seat. . . .
Ah, no; the years, the years,
See, the white storm-birds wing across.They are blithely breakfasting all—
Men and maidens—yea,
Under the summer tree,
With a glimpse of the bay,
While pet fowl come to the knee. . . .
Ah, no; the years O!
And the rotten rose is ript from the wall.They change to a high new house,
He, she, all of them—aye,
Clocks and carpets and chairs
On the lawn all day,
And brightest things that are theirs. . . .
Ah, no; the years, the years;
Down their carved names the rain-drop ploughs.
Summary of During Wind and Rain
- The Essence of “During Wind and Rain”: This poem does not appear in the known works of Thomas Hardy; it may be a modern or unpublished piece. It portrays brief moments of family life and the gentle reminder that time carries all away.
- A Cycle of Life and Loss: The poem presents scenes of singing, gardening, and sharing meals, each followed by the refrain, “Ah, no; the years O!”, which reminds the reader that time is relentless. In the final stanza a new house is described, yet even here the memory fades as carved names are worn by rain.
- Major Themes: Family, Time, and Loss: The central themes are the bonds of family, the inexorable flow of time, and the sadness of loss. The poem invites anyone who has enjoyed family moments and felt the sting of goodbye to reflect on the fleeting nature of memory.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “During Wind and Rain”
Thomas Hardy masterfully employs a range of literary devices to deepen the emotional impact of this poem. These techniques enrich its texture and enhance its meaning.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds gives the poem a musical quality. For example, the repeated ‘e’ sound in “He, she, all of them—aye” creates a gentle, flowing rhythm that mirrors the warmth of family life.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds draws attention to specific phrases. In “And the garden gay” the repeated ‘g’ sound highlights the vibrancy of the garden scene.
- Anaphora: Although not a strict example of anaphora, the repeated “And” in the first stanza, as in “And they sing… And they clear…”, builds momentum and underscores the continuous flow of family activities.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a phrase from one line to the next creates fluidity. For instance, “Making the pathways neat, And the garden gay” encourages the reader to move seamlessly from one image to the next, mirroring the passage of time.
- Imagery: Hardy uses vivid imagery to paint domestic life. Lines such as “With the candles mooning each face” and “Down their carved names the rain-drop ploughs” engage the senses and allow the reader to visualize the scenes.
- Metaphor: The “new house” can be read as a metaphor for a new stage of life. It suggests a shift in circumstances that, while hopeful, is ultimately tinged with sadness.
- Symbolism: The carved names symbolize remembrance and mortality. They represent how even the most cherished memories are subject to erosion by time.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “During Wind and Rain”
In addition to literary devices, Hardy skillfully uses poetic techniques to shape rhythm, sound, and meaning.
- End Rhyme: The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme that creates musicality. Examples include “seat, neat”, “chairs, theirs”, and “wall, all”. This regular rhyme scheme gives the poem a sense of order and predictability.
- Repetition (Refrain): The repeated refrain, “Ah, no; the years O!”, is a striking poetic device that reminds the reader of the passage of time. Each appearance interrupts the idyllic scenes, underscoring the bittersweet nature of memory.
- Stanza Form: The poem is composed of four seven‑line stanzas. This consistent structure frames the exploration of time and memory, with each stanza representing a different phase of family life.
- Tone and Mood: While the poem depicts joyful scenes, it carries an undercurrent of melancholy. The refrain, combined with imagery of decay, creates a wistful and reflective mood that invites contemplation of life’s fragility.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly evocative and suitable for discussing themes of family, memory, and the passage of time.
They sing their dearest songs—
He, she, all of them—yea,
Treble and tenor and bass,
And one to play;
With the candles mooning each face.
This quote beautifully captures the warmth and intimacy of family life, highlighting the simple joys of togetherness.
Down their carved names the rain-drop ploughs.
This haunting image encapsulates the themes of loss, memory, and the relentless passage of time, serving as a poignant reminder of mortality.