A Sunday Morning Tragedy
The narrative unfolds in a rural setting where a mother reflects on the tragic fate of her beautiful daughter. The mother expresses her joy in having such a daughter, but this joy turns to despair as she realizes that her daughter is in love with a man who cannot marry her due to poverty. The daughter confesses her deep love and the burden of a secret that weighs heavily on her. Desperate to save her daughter from disgrace, the mother seeks the help of a shepherd who possesses knowledge of a herb that could terminate the daughter's pregnancy. The mother, in her anguish, prepares a potion with the herb, believing it to be a solution to the impending scandal. On the following Sunday, the mother is filled with dread as she anticipates the consequences of her actions. While the townspeople celebrate a wedding, the mother is consumed by guilt and sorrow. She learns that her daughter's lover has decided to marry her, but the mother is unable to share in the joy. Instead, she finds her daughter unresponsive in her room, leading to the devastating discovery that the daughter has died as a result of the potion. The mother is left to grapple with the consequences of her desperate actions, mourning the loss of her daughter and the innocence that was taken from her. The story culminates in a profound sense of tragedy, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and the devastating impact of societal pressures. The mother’s anguish is palpable as she confronts the reality of her daughter's death, feeling the weight of her own culpability in the tragedy that has unfolded.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1891 · Genre: Tragedy, Poetry, Drama · 1,400 words
First lines
(_circa_ 186–)
I BORE a daughter flower-fair, In Pydel Vale, alas for me; I joyed to mother one so rare, But dead and gone I now would be.
What this Textopian page supports
A Sunday Morning Tragedy is listed on Textopian as a novella by Thomas Hardy, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Poetry, Drama, Romance, Social Commentary
- Length: 1,400 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Sunday Morning Tragedy by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Sunday Morning Tragedy?
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Similar titles
- Brooding Grief by D. H. Lawrence
- After The Last Breath by Thomas Hardy
- The Reminder by Thomas Hardy
- The Night Of The Dance by Thomas Hardy
- Before Life And After by Thomas Hardy
- One We Knew by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Tragedy — The poem centers on themes of loss, despair, and the consequences of societal expectations, embodying the essence of tragedy.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing poetic devices and structure typical of poetry.
- Drama — The intense emotional conflict and character interactions reflect dramatic elements.
- Romance — The narrative involves romantic relationships and the impact of love on the characters' lives.
Tags
tragedy · Sunday · morning · loss · grief · human experience · nature · fate · existentialism · rural life · relationships · melancholy