A Man was Drawing Near to Me
The poem unfolds on a somber, gray night, where the speaker is enveloped in a sense of isolation and detachment from the world around him. He is lost in thoughts of trivial matters, legends, and ghosts, unaware of the approaching figure. The setting is a desolate moorland, characterized by its gloom and the absence of light, save for a distant lighthouse. As the man draws closer, the speaker remains oblivious to the significance of this encounter. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation, marked by the stillness of the night and the speaker's introspective musings. The arrival of the man is heralded by a disturbance at the door, suggesting an intrusion into the speaker's solitary existence. When the man finally appears, he carries an air of inevitability, as if he embodies the speaker's fate. The encounter is charged with tension, hinting at deeper themes of destiny, the unknown, and the intersection of the mundane with the extraordinary. The poem captures a moment of revelation, where the ordinary night transforms into a pivotal experience, leaving the speaker to confront the implications of this unexpected meeting.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 255 words
First lines
ON that gray night of mournful drone, A part from aught to hear, to see, I dreamt not that from shires unknown In gloom, alone, By Halworthy, A man was drawing near to me.
I'd no concern at anything, No sense of coming pull-heart play; Yet, under the silent outspreading Of even's wing Where Otterham lay, A man was riding up my way.
I thought of nobody-not of one, But only of trifles-legends, ghosts- Though, on the moorland dim and dun That travellers shun About these coasts, The man had passed Tresparret Posts.
There was no light at all inland, Only the seaward pharos-fire, Nothing to let me understand That hard at hand By Hennett Byre The man was getting nigh and nigher.
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A Man was Drawing Near to Me is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic, Literary Fiction, Mystery
- Length: 255 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience are prevalent, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Gothic — The atmosphere of gloom and the presence of an enigmatic figure contribute to a Gothic sensibility.
- Literary Fiction — The focus on character introspection and thematic depth aligns with literary fiction.
Tags
literature · fiction · 19th century · English literature · novel · character study · human relationships · social commentary · psychological depth · rural setting · moral dilemmas · narrative style