Bereft, she Thinks she Dreams
The poem explores themes of loss, grief, and the haunting nature of dreams. The speaker is trapped in a nightmarish vision where a beloved figure has died and been buried. Despite recognizing it as a dream, the emotional weight of the experience feels overwhelmingly real, leading to a deep sense of despair. The speaker longs for awakening, wishing to escape the torment of this persistent sorrow. As the dream continues, the speaker reflects on the passage of time, feeling a sense of helplessness as they await a return to reality. The imagery of a bower, a place of happiness and intimacy, contrasts sharply with the current state of mourning. The repetition of the plea to be awakened underscores the desperation and longing for relief from the emotional pain. The work captures the essence of how grief can distort perception, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and the torment of dreams. The speaker's yearning for the presence of the deceased highlights the profound impact of loss on the human psyche, illustrating the struggle to cope with the absence of a loved one. The poem ultimately conveys a powerful message about the enduring nature of love and the deep scars left by separation, whether through death or emotional distance.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 157 words
First lines
I DREAM that the dearest I ever knew Has died and been entombed. I am sure it's a dream that cannot be true, But I am so overgloomed By its persistence, that I would gladly Have quick death take me, Rather than longer think thus sadly; So wake me, wake me!
It has lasted days, but minute and hour I expect to get aroused And find him as usual in the bower Where we so happily housed. Yet stays this nightmare too appalling, And like a web shakes me, And piteously I keep on calling, And no one wakes me!
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Bereft, she Thinks she Dreams 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, Romanticism, Gothic, Melodrama, Existentialism
- Length: 157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- The Reminder by Thomas Hardy
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- So Thou Art Gone by Gilbert Parker
- The Death Of Regret by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on emotional expression.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, loss, and longing are central, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Gothic — The presence of dark themes, nightmares, and a sense of despair aligns with Gothic elements.
- Melodrama — The heightened emotional states and dramatic expressions of grief reflect melodramatic tendencies.
Tags
loss · dreams · grief · isolation · memory · longing · identity · nature · romance · melancholy · self-discovery · existentialism