Former Beauties by Thomas Hardy
The work reflects on the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with aging. It contrasts the youthful beauty of women in their prime with their present, mid-aged selves, evoking nostalgia and a sense of loss. The speaker reminisces about past romantic encounters and the vibrant life once shared, questioning whether the women remember their former selves and the love that once flourished. The poem explores themes of memory, beauty, and the transient nature of life. It highlights the stark reality of aging, where the physical appearance fades, yet the memories of youth and love linger. The speaker grapples with the idea that if these women were to truly remember their past beauty, it would transform their current perception of themselves, allowing them to see the remnants of their former allure. The imagery used evokes a sense of melancholy, as the speaker reflects on the contrast between the past and the present. The market-dames, with their thin-drawn lips and worn tissues, symbolize the harsh reality of aging, while the memories of summer Sundays and moonlit dances represent the joy and vitality of youth. The work ultimately serves as a meditation on the passage of time, the nature of beauty, and the bittersweet nature of memory.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 143 words
First lines
THESE market-dames, mid-aged, with lips thin-drawn, And tissues sere, Are they the ones we loved in years agone, And courted here?
Are these the muslined pink young things to whom We vowed and swore In nooks on summer Sundays by the Froom, Or Budmouth shore?
Do they remember those gay tunes we trod Clasped on the green; Aye; trod till moonlight set on the beaten sod A satin sheen?
They must forget, forget! They cannot know What once they were, Or memory would transfigure them, and show Them always fair.
What this Textopian page supports
Former Beauties is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1913 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: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Elegy, Victorian Literature
- Length: 143 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Former Beauties by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Former Beauties?
- How does this poem by Thomas Hardy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Erinna by Sara Teasdale
- One We Knew by Thomas Hardy
- The Reminder by Thomas Hardy
- After The Club Dance by Thomas Hardy
- Unrealized by Thomas Hardy
- To Carrey Clavel by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — Themes of nostalgia and lost beauty reflect romantic ideals.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on beauty and time.
- Elegy — The tone mourns the passage of time and the loss of youthful beauty.
Tags
beauty · aging · society · love · loss · regret · identity · feminism · relationships · class · memory · nostalgia