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Thomas Hardy’s ‘Neutral Tones’ is about the neutrality of feelings and passivity of a lady. The beauty of this poem lies in the use of imagery and most importantly the colors.
"Neutral Tones" is a bleak and pessimistic poem that depicts the end of a love affair and the psychological aftereffects. Thomas Hardy wrote the poem in 1867, though it was not published until 1898 in the collection Wessex Poems and Other Verses.
Neutral Tones. – They had fallen from an ash, and were gray. On which lost the more by our love. Like an ominous bird a-wing…. And a pond edged with grayish leaves. We stood by a pond that winter day, And the sun was white, as though chidden of God, And a few leaves lay on the starving sod; – They had fallen from….
Lesson details. Key learning points. Hardy uses colour imagery to create a bleak and barren emotional landscape. Hardy uses an oxymoron to convey the hostile and hopeless nature of the relationship. Hardy uses personification to suggest how he feels misled by love. Hardy uses ominous imagery to show how the relationship was ill-fated.
Key learning points. Hardy recalls a devastating moment of separation in a romantic relationship. The desolate setting reflects the speakers despairing and hopeless emotions. The speaker's love for the subject seems to have been unrequited at the end of their relationship.
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) Hardy was known as being insecure, depressed and sensitive as a result of two unhappy marriages. This lack of happiness is well-reflected in the depressing tone of “Neutral Tones”.
This is a complete lesson to explore the story, language, structure and context of 'Neutral Tones'. Suitable for pupils new to the poem or for revision. GCSE Poetry Lesson to Support Teaching on 'Neutral Tones' by Thomas Hardy contains: Neutral Tones Presentation.ppt. Neutral Tones Storyboard.pdf.
