A Young Man's Exhortation by Thomas Hardy
The work presents a reflective and philosophical exploration of youth, love, and the transient nature of life. It begins with a call to embrace joy and to focus on the present moment, urging the reader to find delight in life despite its inherent challenges. The speaker emphasizes the importance of living fully and passionately, suggesting that one should seek out happiness and revel in the beauty of existence. As the narrative unfolds, it delves into the fleeting nature of love and dreams, highlighting how quickly they can fade. The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of mortality and the ephemeral quality of human experiences. This awareness of life's brevity serves as a catalyst for the exhortation to cherish each moment and to engage deeply with one's emotions and aspirations. The work contrasts the idealized notions of love and happiness with the harsh realities of life, suggesting that while joy is essential, it is often accompanied by sorrow and loss. The speaker reflects on the illusions that people create around love and success, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from within rather than from external validation. Throughout the piece, there is a sense of urgency to seize the day and to cultivate a rich inner life. The speaker encourages the audience to express their innermost thoughts and feelings, to draw from their imagination, and to share their unique perspectives with the world. This call to action is rooted in the belief that each individual possesses a wealth of creativity and insight that can enrich both their own lives and the lives of others. Ultimately, the work serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of youth, love, and dreams. It advocates for a life lived with intention, passion, and an awareness of the impermanence of all things. The exhortation is not merely a celebration of youth but a profound meditation on the human condition, urging readers to embrace their experiences fully and to find meaning in the fleeting moments that define their existence.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical · 189 words
First lines
CALL off your eyes from care / By some determined deftness; put forth joys / Dear as excess without the core that cloys, / And charm Life's lourings fair.
Exalt and crown the hour / That girdles us, and fill it full with glee, / Blind glee, excelling aught could ever be / Were heedfulness in power.
Send up such touching strains / That limitless recruits from Fancy's pack / Shall rush upon your tongue, and tender back / All that your soul contains.
For what do we know best? / That a fresh love-leaf crumpled soon will dry, / And that men moment after moment die, / Of all scope dispossest.
What this Textopian page supports
A Young Man's Exhortation is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical, Lyric, Victorian Literature
- Length: 189 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Young Man's Exhortation by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of life, love, and the transient nature of existence.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, beauty, and the idealization of emotions align with Romantic literary traditions.
- Philosophical — The exploration of existential themes and the nature of dreams and reality reflects philosophical inquiry.
- Lyric — The personal expression of emotions and thoughts indicates a lyrical quality, focusing on the speaker's inner feelings.
Tags
youth · advice · ambition · life choices · regret · identity · self-discovery · society · relationships · dreams · struggle · growth