A Wife in London: Analysis and Context
Thomas Hardy's "A Wife in London" is a powerful poem that explores the devastating impact of war on families left behind. Set against the backdrop of the Boer War, this poem offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a wife who receives tragic news about her husband.
Context: Thomas Hardy was a pacifist who often wrote about war, focusing on its destructive effects on families. The Boer War in South Africa, which forms the historical backdrop of this poem, was fought between the British and Dutch settlers over gold discoveries.
The poem is structured in two distinct parts, each with its own title:
- "The Tragedy"
- "The Irony"
This structure foreshadows the two significant events that unfold in the poem: the wife receiving news of her husband's death, followed by a letter he wrote before his demise.
Highlight: The poem's structure mirrors the emotional journey of the wife, with the first part depicting the shock of loss and the second part emphasizing the cruel irony of fate.
A Wife in London key quotes include:
Quote: "A messenger's knock cracks smartly"
This line uses onomatopoeia to create a harsh, violent effect, contrasting with the previous silence and emphasizing the sudden intrusion of bad news.
Quote: "Fresh-firm-penned in highest feather"
This quote describes the husband's handwriting in his final letter, highlighting the tragic irony of his optimistic plans for the future.
A Wife in London structure employs an ABBAB rhyme scheme, with some variations. The poem's form and structure contribute significantly to its emotional impact:
- The speaker maintains a detached tone, reflecting the inevitability of death in war
- The rhyme scheme breaks down slightly in "The Tragedy" section, mirroring the wife's confusion and grief
- The use of caesuras and enjambment controls the poem's pace, reflecting the wife's emotional state
Vocabulary: Caesura - A pause or break in a line of poetry, often for emphasis or emotional effect
