The Coquette, and after (Triolets)
The work explores themes of love, desire, and the consequences of emotional manipulation. The speaker expresses a longing for a romantic connection while simultaneously wishing for the object of their affection to experience unrequited love. This desire reveals a complex interplay of power dynamics in relationships, where the speaker's wish for emotional pain in another reflects a deeper insecurity and need for validation. As the narrative unfolds, the speaker confronts the harsh reality of their desires. The initial wish for the other’s heartache transforms into a recognition of the inevitable suffering that accompanies love. The speaker acknowledges that, in the end, women often bear the brunt of emotional turmoil, suggesting a critique of societal expectations and the inherent inequalities in romantic relationships. The structure of the work, with its repetitive refrains, emphasizes the cyclical nature of desire and regret. The speaker's journey from a position of control to one of vulnerability illustrates the complexities of human emotions and the often-painful lessons learned through love. The final realization that one must "pay the penalty" for their actions underscores the theme of accountability, particularly for women, who are portrayed as bearing the consequences of romantic entanglements more heavily than men. Overall, the work serves as a poignant reflection on the intricacies of love, the burdens of emotional expectations, and the societal roles that shape personal experiences in relationships.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Feminism · 163 words
First lines
I. FOR long the cruel wish I knew / That your free heart should ache for me / While mine should bear no ache for you; / For, long-the cruel wish! -I knew / How men can feel, and craved to view / My triumph-fated not to be / For long! . The cruel wish I knew / That your free heart should ache for me!
II. At last one pays the penalty- / The woman-women always do. / My farce, I found, was tragedy / At last! -One pays the penalty / With interest when one, fancy-free, / Learns love, learns shame. Of sinners two / At last _one_ pays the penalty- / The woman-women always do!
What this Textopian page supports
The Coquette, and after (Triolets) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1923 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: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Feminism, Tragedy, Lyric
- Length: 163 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Coquette, and after (Triolets) by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, indicating its primary genre.
- Romanticism — Themes of unrequited love and emotional turmoil align with Romantic ideals.
- Feminism — The exploration of women's experiences and societal expectations reflects feminist themes.
- Tragedy — The narrative conveys a sense of inevitable suffering and consequence, characteristic of tragic literature.
Tags
romance · drama · poetry · love · seduction · feminism · society · relationships · conflict · identity · gender roles · 19th century