The Glimpse by Thomas Hardy (1923)
The narrative unfolds through the perspective of a man haunted by the memory of a woman with red hair, who has passed away. He enters a space filled with others, searching for her, but is met with confusion and disbelief. The revelation that she is dead shocks him, as he learns that she appears to others only in the night, yet he is the first to encounter her in daylight. The protagonist reflects on the passage of time since her death, expressing a deep sense of longing and loss. He has dedicated himself to the house they once shared, now empty and echoing with memories. Despite his efforts to connect with her spirit, he remains isolated, waiting in vain for her presence. The emotional weight of his grief is palpable, as he describes the physical toll it has taken on him—his thinning cheeks and graying hair. The work explores themes of love, loss, and the haunting nature of memory. The protagonist's fixation on the deceased woman illustrates the struggle between the living and the dead, as he grapples with his inability to move on. The atmosphere is steeped in melancholy, emphasizing the impact of unresolved feelings and the desire for connection that transcends death. The narrative captures the essence of longing, portraying a poignant struggle against the inevitability of loss and the passage of time.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Gothic Fiction, Romanticism · 270 words
First lines
SHE sped through the door / And, following in haste, / And stirred to the core, / I entered hot-faced; / But I could not find her, / No sign was behind her. / "Where is she? " I said: / -"Who? " they asked that sat there; / "Not a soul's come in sight. " / -"A maid with red hair. " / -"Ah. " They paled. "She is dead. / People see her at night, / But you are the first / On whom she has burst / In the keen common light."
Similar titles
- The Wistful Lady by Thomas Hardy
- I Worked No Wile To Meet You by Thomas Hardy
- One We Knew by Thomas Hardy
- Lonely Days by Thomas Hardy
- The Face At The Casement by Thomas Hardy
- Bereft She Thinks She Dreams by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Gothic Fiction — The themes of death, longing, and the supernatural presence of a ghostly figure align with Gothic elements.
- Romanticism — The emotional depth and focus on personal experience reflect Romantic ideals.
- Literary Fiction — The introspective nature and exploration of complex themes categorize it as literary fiction.
Tags
romance · tragedy · Victorian · literature · human emotions · social class · nature · isolation · desire · loss · identity · fate
What this Textopian page supports
The Glimpse 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, Gothic Fiction, Romanticism, Literary Fiction, Drama
- Length: 270 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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