"How Great My Grief" (Triolet) by Thomas Hardy
The poem explores the profound sorrow and limited joy experienced by the speaker since encountering a significant other. It reflects on the passage of time, suggesting that despite the years that have gone by, the speaker's grief remains overwhelming and unaltered. The repetition emphasizes the depth of this grief, indicating that memories and kindness have not alleviated the pain. The structure, a triolet, reinforces the cyclical nature of the speaker's emotions, highlighting a sense of entrapment in grief. The work captures the essence of longing and loss, illustrating how a singular relationship can dominate one's emotional landscape, overshadowing any moments of happiness. The speaker's lamentation serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of love and the weight of sorrow that often accompanies it.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism · 92 words
First lines
HOW great my grief, my joys how few, / Since first it was my fate to know thee! / -Have the slow years not brought to view / How great my grief, my joys how few, / Nor memory shaped old times anew, / Nor loving-kindness helped to show thee / How great my grief, my joys how few, / Since first it was my fate to know thee?
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"How Great My Grief" (Triolet) 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: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism, Reflective Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 92 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The themes of grief and loss suggest an elegiac quality, mourning a past relationship or experience.
- Romanticism — The focus on individual emotion and nature aligns with Romantic literary themes.
- Reflective Poetry — The poem reflects on personal experiences and memories, typical of reflective poetry.
Tags
grief · loss · mourning · love · memory · sorrow · heartbreak · poetry · emotion · reflection · nature · time