The Last Time by Thomas Hardy (1913)
The poem explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time through a reflective lens. It begins with a moment of intimacy, a kiss that signifies a culmination of past experiences. The speaker acknowledges that this moment, while significant, cannot be revived or repeated, hinting at the inevitability of change and the finality of certain experiences. As the poem progresses, the imagery of a clock emphasizes the relentless march of time, suggesting that moments are fleeting and cannot be revisited. The speaker's reluctance to acknowledge the end of a chapter in their life mirrors the human tendency to avoid confronting loss directly. The metaphor of reading a book serves to illustrate the idea that life is a narrative filled with various chapters, some of which conclude without clear resolution. The final lines introduce a stark contrast between the vibrancy of life and the stillness of death. The figure lying "stretched out whitely" symbolizes the end of life, evoking a sense of mourning and reflection. The speaker's act of standing and looking at this figure suggests a confrontation with mortality and the emotional weight of memories associated with the deceased. Overall, the work encapsulates the bittersweet nature of human experiences, where moments of joy are intertwined with the inevitability of loss, urging readers to reflect on the transient nature of life and the lasting impact of love.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 117 words
First lines
THE kiss had been given and taken, And gathered to many past: It never could reawaken; But you heard none say: "It's the last!"
The clock showed the hour and the minute, But you did not turn and look: You read no finis in it, As at closing of a book.
But you read it all too rightly When, at a time anon, A figure lay stretched out whitely, And you stood looking thereon.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Time is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1913 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: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Elegy, Victorian Literature
- Length: 117 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Last Time 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 The Last Time?
- 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
- Lost Love by Thomas Hardy
- The Face At The Casement by Thomas Hardy
- Regret Not Me by Thomas Hardy
- Lament by Thomas Hardy
- The Going by Thomas Hardy
- The Voice by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of love and loss.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, nostalgia, and emotional depth align with Romantic ideals.
- Lyric — The personal and emotional expression in the text characterizes it as a lyric poem.
- Elegy — The reflective tone and themes of mourning suggest elements of an elegy.
Tags
love · loss · regret · nostalgia · fate · tragedy · relationships · memory · time · human experience · longing · heartbreak