A man reflects on a May evening when he and his companion visit a sick man who wishes to marry her. The visit is intended to offer comfort, but as they leave, the narrator turns and sees the dying man watching them from a window. In a moment of spiteful impulse, he embraces the woman to provoke the dying man’s jealousy. This act fills him with shame and self-loathing, as he realizes the cruelty of his actions. The narrative explores themes of love, jealousy, and the moral complexities of human relationships. The man’s internal conflict reveals the darker side of love, contrasting its beauty with its potential for cruelty. The story concludes with a reflection on the enduring pain caused by such actions, suggesting that love can be both a source of joy and deep sorrow.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Tragedy