Before Marching and After
The narrative explores themes of mortality, duty, and the impact of war on individuals and their families. It begins with a soldier contemplating his fate as he prepares for battle, reflecting on the indifference of the universe to human struggles. The protagonist is detached from personal connections, indicating a sense of isolation and existential questioning. As the story unfolds, the soldier's thoughts are juxtaposed with the natural world, highlighting a contrast between the beauty of life and the grim reality of impending conflict. The imagery of the stars and the landscape serves to emphasize the soldier's internal turmoil and the weight of his impending decisions. The narrative shifts to the aftermath of the soldier's experience in war, revealing the consequences of his participation in the "game with Death." The return home is marked by a sense of loss and the haunting memories of what he has endured. The once vibrant surroundings now feel altered, reflecting the psychological scars left by combat. Family dynamics are explored, particularly the relationship between the soldier and his mother, who has always sought to protect him. Her quiet suffering and hopes for his safety contrast sharply with the harsh realities of war. The soldier's return is not a triumphant homecoming but rather a moment of reckoning with the changes that have occurred both within himself and in his relationships. Ultimately, the work delves into the broader implications of war, questioning the glorification of heroism and the true cost of conflict. It presents a poignant commentary on the cyclical nature of violence and the enduring impact it has on individuals and their communities. The soldier's journey serves as a microcosm of the larger human experience, grappling with themes of fate, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in a world often indifferent to suffering.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Romanticism · 256 words
First lines
(_in Memoriam F. W. G._)
ORION swung southward aslant Where the starved Egdon pine-trees had thinned, The Pleiads aloft seemed to pant With the heather that twitched in the wind; But he looked on indifferent to sights such as these, Unswayed by love, friendship, home joy or home sorrow, And wondered to what he would march on the morrow.
The crazed household-clock with its whirr Rang midnight within as he stood, He heard the low sighing of her Who had striven from his birth for his good; But he still only asked the spring starlight, the breeze, What great thing or small thing his history would borrow From that Game with Death he would play on the morrow.
What this Textopian page supports
Before Marching and After is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War Literature, Romanticism, Existentialism, Lyric
- Length: 256 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Before Marching and After 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
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Similar titles
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- My Boy Jack by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- War Literature — The themes revolve around the experiences and consequences of war, particularly the emotional and existential reflections of a soldier.
- Romanticism — The text explores deep emotional states and the connection to nature, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Existentialism — The protagonist's contemplation of life, death, and purpose reflects existential themes.
Tags
war · conflict · humanity · sacrifice · loss · grief · courage · identity · memory · change · society · history