Departure by Thomas Hardy (1917)
The narrative unfolds at Southampton Docks in October 1899, capturing the poignant moment of departure as soldiers prepare to embark for war. The atmosphere is heavy with a sense of loss and the weight of impending conflict. The scene is marked by the fading sounds of farewell music and the sight of ships cutting through the water, symbolizing the transition from peace to the chaos of battle. The protagonist reflects on the nature of war and the human cost associated with it. There is a palpable tension as the soldiers, representing various nationalities, march towards an uncertain fate. The speaker questions the rationale behind the ongoing conflicts among nations, pondering the futility of sacrificing lives for the ambitions of a few. The imagery evokes a sense of helplessness, as individuals are likened to puppets manipulated by larger forces beyond their control. As the soldiers depart, the speaker yearns for a future where reason and compassion prevail over violence and nationalism. The desire for a world where patriotism does not enslave humanity is expressed, highlighting a longing for unity and peace. The work encapsulates the emotional turmoil of those left behind and the soldiers themselves, emphasizing the tragic consequences of war and the hope for a more harmonious existence. The themes of separation, the absurdity of conflict, and the quest for a better world resonate throughout the piece, making a powerful statement on the human condition in the face of war. The work serves as a reflection on the cyclical nature of violence and the enduring hope for a more enlightened society.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary · 175 words
First lines
(_Southampton Docks_: _October_, 1899)
WHILE the far farewell music thins and fails, / And the broad bottoms rip the bearing brine- / All smalling slowly to the gray sea line- / And each significant red smoke-shaft pales,
Keen sense of severance everywhere prevails, / Which shapes the late long tramp of mounting men / To seeming words that ask and ask again: / "How long, O striving Teutons, Slavs, and Gaels / Must your wroth reasonings trade on lives like these, / That are as puppets in a playing hand? - / When shall the saner softer polities / Whereof we dream, have play in each proud land, / And patriotism, grown Godlike, scorn to stand / Bondslave to realms, but circle earth and seas? "
What this Textopian page supports
Departure 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, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Historical, Philosophical
- Length: 175 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Departure 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, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore complex human emotions and societal issues, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques nationalism and the human cost of conflict, reflecting social and political themes.
- Historical — Set against the backdrop of the late 19th century, it reflects historical contexts and sentiments.
Tags
loss · change · identity · journey · relationships · self-discovery · conflict · nature · society · isolation · memory · regret