The Nettles by Thomas Hardy (1890)
The poem presents a speaker reflecting on the grave of their son, who has died after leaving home due to a conflict over his romantic choice. The speaker expresses regret and sorrow, revealing that the son was deeply infatuated with a woman whom the speaker deemed unworthy, describing her as hard and unfeeling. The speaker's disapproval led to a rift between them, culminating in the son's departure. As the speaker visits the grave, they observe the nettles growing on the mound, symbolizing neglect and the pain of loss. The juxtaposition of the grave with the woman's presence nearby, indicated by her firelight, emphasizes the emotional turmoil and unresolved feelings surrounding the son's choice. The speaker's journey to the grave signifies a confrontation with grief and the consequences of their earlier judgment. The poem encapsulates themes of parental love, loss, and the complexities of relationships, highlighting the tension between protective instincts and the autonomy of the young. The speaker's final decision to leave reflects a sense of resignation and acceptance of the situation, underscoring the enduring impact of their son's choice and the bitterness of regret.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Tragedy · 143 words
First lines
THIS, then, is the grave of my son, / Whose heart she won! And nettles grow / Upon his mound; and she lives just below.
How he upbraided me, and left, / And our lives were cleft, because I said / She was hard, unfeeling, caring but to wed.
Well, to see this sight I have fared these miles, / And her firelight smiles from her window there, / Whom he left his mother to cherish with tender care!
It is enough. I'll turn and go; / Yes, nettles grow where lone lies he, / Who spurned me for seeing what he could not see.
What this Textopian page supports
The Nettles is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1890 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Romanticism, Realism
- Length: 143 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of loss, regret, and familial relationships.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative delves into complex emotional themes and character introspection, typical of literary fiction.
- Tragedy — The poem conveys a sense of sorrow and loss, embodying tragic elements in the relationship dynamics.
- Romanticism — The emotional depth and focus on personal feelings align with Romantic literary themes.
Tags
nature · conflict · family · growth · loss · identity · rural · struggle · adolescence · relationships · society · class