Rose-Ann by Thomas Hardy (1918)
The narrative centers on a young man's emotional turmoil after discovering that the woman he loves, Rose-Ann, is already promised to another. The protagonist reflects on his feelings of betrayal and confusion, questioning why she never disclosed her engagement while they shared intimate conversations about marriage. He recalls his aspirations of building a life with her, including raising livestock and preparing a home, which now feel futile and painful. The young man grapples with his mother's warnings about Rose-Ann's character, realizing too late that he was blind to the signs of her unavailability. His heartache is compounded by the realization that he invested his emotions and dreams into a relationship that was never meant to be. The poem captures the themes of unrequited love, the pain of lost dreams, and the harsh realities of social expectations and promises. The protagonist's lament serves as a poignant exploration of love's complexities and the emotional scars left by unfulfilled desires.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 237 words
First lines
WHY didn't you say you was promised, Rose-Ann? Why didn't you name it to me, Ere ever you tempted me hither, Rose-Ann, So often, so wearifully?
O why did you let me be near 'ee, Rose-Ann, Talking things about wedlock so free, And never by nod or by whisper, Rose-Ann, Give a hint that it wasn't to be?
Down home I was raising a flock of stock ewes, Cocks and hens, and wee chickens by scores, And lavendered linen all ready to use, A-dreaming that they would be yours.
Mother said: "She's a sport-making maiden, my son"; And a pretty sharp quarrel had we; O why do you prove by this wrong you have done That I saw not what mother could see?
What this Textopian page supports
Rose-Ann is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Drama, Narrative
- Length: 237 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Rose-Ann 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 Rose-Ann?
- 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
- Yellham Woods Story by Thomas Hardy
- The Christening by Thomas Hardy
- By The Barrows by Thomas Hardy
- Unrealized by Thomas Hardy
- The Dear by Thomas Hardy
- Remembrance Ellis Bell by Charlotte Bronte
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetic forms.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, longing, and emotional conflict reflect the ideals of Romantic literature.
- Lyric — The personal and emotional expression of the speaker's feelings towards Rose-Ann aligns with the lyric genre.
- Drama — The dialogue and emotional tension suggest elements of dramatic storytelling.
Tags
love · tragedy · rural · Victorian · society · class · fate · nature · romance · loss · identity · conflict