Respond in at least 5 sentences. The answer needs to be written in complete sentences. Include at least 1 quote from Thomas Hardy’s The Darkling Thrush to earn full credit and support your response.%C2%A0 Is this a poem about the end of the nineteenth century or the beginning of the twentieth? How does this decision change your reading of the poem?
The Darkling Thrush can be interpreted as a poem about both the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth. The poem reflects the transition from one era to the next, capturing the uncertainty and bleakness of the end of the Victorian age, while also hinting at the possibility of hope and renewal that the new century may bring. This duality is significant as it allows the reader to view the poem through the lens of both endings and beginnings.
If we read the poem as being about the end of the nineteenth century, it emphasizes the melancholic and desolate atmosphere that pervades the poem. The description of the "winter's dregs" and the "spectre-grey" landscape suggests a sense of lifelessness and decay. The quote, "The century's corpse outleant" further reinforces this idea of an era coming to an end.
On the other hand, interpreting the poem as the beginning of the twentieth century introduces a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. The mention of the thrush, an emblem of renewal and vitality, suggests the possibility of new beginnings. The quote, "An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small" portrays the bird as a symbol of perseverance and resilience, capable of singing despite the harsh conditions.
This decision to view the poem from either perspective changes the reading by highlighting different aspects. If seen as the end of the nineteenth century, the focus is on the sense of loss and decline. However, if seen as the beginning of the twentieth century, the emphasis shifts towards the potential for change and the resilience of life. Ultimately, the interpretation of the poem as both an end and a beginning allows for a richer and more nuanced understanding of Hardy's portrayal of this transitional period.