A Wife Comes Back by Thomas Hardy
The narrative follows a man reflecting on a poignant encounter with his long-estranged wife, who appears to him in a dreamlike state. This woman, once vibrant and youthful, embodies the essence of their past love, evoking memories of their early days together. As he observes her transformation back to her youthful self, he is filled with nostalgia and longing, yearning for her to remain with him. However, as quickly as she appears, she vanishes, leaving him in despair. Determined to reconnect, he ventures out into the world, searching for her in the familiar places they once frequented. His journey leads him to the city where she now resides, carrying the image of her youthful beauty in his mind. Upon finding her, he is met with the stark reality of her aging and the passage of time. She is no longer the vibrant woman he remembers but an elderly figure who barely recalls their shared past. The encounter highlights themes of memory, loss, and the inexorable passage of time. The man grapples with the contrast between his idealized memories and the reality of his wife's current state. The story ultimately reflects on the nature of love and the impact of time on relationships, illustrating how the past can haunt the present and shape one's understanding of love and connection.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Literary Fiction · 452 words
First lines
THIS is the story a man told me Of his life's one day of dreamery.
A woman came into his room Between the dawn and the creeping day: She was the years-wed wife from whom He had parted, and who lived far away, As if strangers they.
What this Textopian page supports
A Wife Comes Back is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Hardy, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Literary Fiction, Drama, Existentialism
- Length: 452 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as meter and rhyme.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and longing for a lost partner.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep emotional and psychological themes, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Drama — The story presents a conflict and emotional tension between the characters.
Tags
love · betrayal · marriage · redemption · loss · forgiveness · family · society · class · identity · conflict · regret