He Follows Himself by Thomas Hardy
The poem explores the internal conflict between the speaker's self-awareness and the darker aspects of his psyche. The speaker personifies his heart, which he feels is leading him astray, causing him distress. He follows this "leading self," questioning why it clings to him so persistently. The heart expresses a desire to escape the burdens of their shared existence, yet the speaker insists on pursuing it, believing that part of himself is intertwined with the heart's struggles. As the speaker observes a man who seems to be wasting his life, he refuses to abandon this figure, feeling a connection to the man's despair. The heart attempts to divert the speaker's attention, claiming to visit an old friend, but the speaker reveals that this friend is dead, highlighting the futility of the heart's pursuits. The imagery of the yew trees, often associated with death, reinforces the theme of haunting memories and the inescapable nature of one's past. Ultimately, the poem delves into themes of identity, loss, and the relentless nature of self-reflection, illustrating the tension between the desire to escape one's burdens and the inability to sever ties with the past. The speaker's journey is marked by a sense of inevitability, as he grapples with the haunting presence of his own choices and the shadows of those he has lost.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Romanticism · 353 words
First lines
IN a heavy time I dogged myself / Along a louring way, / Till my leading self to my following self / Said: "Why do you hang on me / So harassingly?"
"I have watched you, Heart of mine," I cried, / "So often going astray / And leaving me, that I have pursued, / Feeling such truancy / Ought not to be."
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He Follows Himself is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1914 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Romanticism, Existentialism, Lyric
- Length: 353 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Philosophical — The themes explore self-identity, introspection, and the nature of existence.
- Romanticism — The emotional depth and focus on individual experience align with Romantic ideals.
- Existentialism — The text grapples with the search for meaning and the struggle of self-awareness.
Tags
identity · self-discovery · existentialism · psychological · drama · conflict · human nature · relationships · society · isolation · ambition · moral dilemmas