A Meeting with Despair by Thomas Hardy
The narrative unfolds on a desolate moor, where the protagonist grapples with feelings of despair and hopelessness. The bleak landscape mirrors his internal turmoil, characterized by a sense of isolation and gloom. As he reflects on his life, he perceives the moor as a representation of his own struggles, filled with darkness and devoid of joy. In a moment of contrast, he notices the beauty of the sky, filled with light and glory, which offers a fleeting sense of solace. However, this moment is quickly overshadowed by self-reproach and a sense of futility. The protagonist engages in a silent battle with his thoughts, questioning the nature of good and the reasons for his discontent. Suddenly, a grotesque figure emerges from the horizon, embodying despair itself. This entity, described as hideous and hopeless, reinforces the protagonist's feelings of desolation. The figure challenges the protagonist's momentary optimism, suggesting that even the beauty of the sky is ultimately transient and deceptive. As the protagonist looks up again, he realizes that the light has vanished, leaving only darkness. The figure's mocking laughter serves as a grim reminder of the inescapable nature of despair. The encounter highlights the struggle between hope and hopelessness, illustrating the protagonist's internal conflict and the pervasive influence of despair in his life. The work ultimately explores themes of existential dread, the fleeting nature of hope, and the inescapable presence of despair in the human experience.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Existentialism, Romanticism · 283 words
First lines
AS evening shaped I found me on a moor / Which sight could scarce sustain: / The black lean land, of featureless contour, / Was like a tract in pain.
"This scene, like my own life," I said, "is one / Where many glooms abide; / Toned by its fortune to a deadly dun- / Lightless on every side.
I glanced aloft and halted, pleasure-caught / To see the contrast there: / The ray-lit clouds gleamed glory; and I thought, / "There's solace everywhere!"
Then bitter self-reproaches as I stood / I dealt me silently / As one perverse-misrepresenting Good / In graceless mutiny.
What this Textopian page supports
A Meeting with Despair 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, Existentialism, Romanticism, Gothic, Philosophical
- Length: 283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Meeting with Despair by Thomas Hardy
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Similar titles
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- He Fears His Good Fortune by Thomas Hardy
- For Life I Had Never Cared Greatly by Thomas Hardy
- If You Had Known by Thomas Hardy
- Everything Comes by Thomas Hardy
- The End Of The Episode by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Existentialism — The themes explore despair, self-reproach, and the search for meaning in a bleak existence.
- Romanticism — The vivid imagery and emotional depth reflect Romantic ideals, particularly in nature's contrast to human emotion.
- Gothic — The presence of a dark, foreboding atmosphere and a sense of hopelessness aligns with Gothic elements.
Tags
despair · existentialism · human condition · tragedy · loss · melancholy · relationships · conflict · society · fate · hope · disillusionment