Everything Comes by Thomas Hardy
The narrative unfolds in a stark, desolate setting, where a speaker reflects on the coldness of a newly built house, emphasizing its isolation and the lack of natural barriers against the elements and prying eyes. The speaker's love expresses a desire for privacy and protection from the harshness of the world, prompting the speaker to plant trees as a shield. This act symbolizes hope and the intention to create a nurturing environment. As time passes, the trees grow, representing the passage of years and the fulfillment of the speaker's promise. However, the tone shifts dramatically when the love reveals her deteriorating health, indicating that despite the speaker's efforts, the protective haven they envisioned comes too late for her. The juxtaposition of growth and decay highlights themes of love, loss, and the inevitability of time. The work explores the tension between aspiration and reality, illustrating how intentions can be thwarted by circumstances beyond control. The emotional weight of the love's impending death casts a shadow over the speaker's efforts, underscoring the fragility of life and the bittersweet nature of human relationships. The finality of her condition serves as a poignant reminder of mortality, leaving the speaker to grapple with the futility of their attempts to create a sanctuary that can no longer serve its intended purpose.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1912 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 210 words
First lines
"THE house is bleak and cold Built so new for me! All the winds upon the wold Search it through for me; No screening trees abound, And the curious eyes around Keep on view for me."
"My Love, I am planting trees As a screen for you Both from winds, and eyes that tease And peer in for you. Only wait till they have grown, No such bower will be known As I mean for you."
"Then I will bear it, Love, And will wait," she said. -So, with years, there grew a grove. "Skill how great! " she said. "As you wished, Dear? "-"Yes, I see! But-I'm dying; and for me 'Tis too late," she said.
What this Textopian page supports
Everything Comes is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1912 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: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Nature Writing, Victorian Literature
- Length: 210 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of love and nature.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, longing, and the natural world align with Romantic ideals.
- Lyric — The personal expression of emotions and feelings is characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Writing — The imagery of trees and the natural environment plays a significant role in the text.
Tags
fate · destiny · human experience · love · loss · nature · society · conflict · tragedy · philosophy · rural life · class struggle