Thomas Hardy is well known as a Victorian novelist. 'The Mayor of Casterbridge', 'The Return of the Native', 'Far From the Madding Crowd' and 'Jude the Obscure' are the heavy weight novels that we associate with Hardy. All set within the boundaries of the fictional Wessex, the novels explored a range of themes and issues, particularly the remorseless advance of capitalism.
In 1895, Hardy stepped back from writing novels and dedicated the rest of his life to expressing is feelings and ideas in poetry. Often deeply personal, Hardy published 900 poems between 1898 and his death in 1928. He is one of few writers whose career straddled the 19th and 20th century. He witnessed, and was a critic, of the spread of middle class values that he felt eradicated the identity of regions such as Devon and Dorset. He also lived through the tumultuous events of the early 1900's, culminating in the horrific 1914-1918 war.
The poem I have chosen for discussion this week is 'The Voice'. The poem is one of many written by Hardy about his late wife Emma. It depicts the poet wondering whether his late wife's ghost has visited him. He searches for a clear sign, but all those that appear to him are indistinct and ethereal.
I will look forward to hearing your views on the poem.