The Wedding Morning by Thomas Hardy
A young woman prepares for her wedding day, feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness rather than joy. She reflects on a recent encounter with her love interest, who expressed a preference for another woman, Carry, while she was present but hidden. This revelation deepens her despair, as she grapples with her unrequited feelings and the impending birth of his child with Carry. Despite her heartache, she contemplates the possibility of relinquishing her love to Carry after the child is born, revealing a complex mix of selflessness and sorrow. The narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the emotional turmoil surrounding relationships, particularly in the context of societal expectations and personal desires. The protagonist's internal conflict highlights the tension between duty and personal happiness, setting the stage for a poignant examination of love's complexities.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1901 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Tragedy · 185 words
First lines
TABITHA dressed for her wedding: - / "Tabby, why look so sad? " / "-O I feel a great gloominess spreading, spreading, / Instead of supremely glad! . . .
"I called on Carry last night, / And he came whilst I was there, / Not knowing I'd called. So I kept out of sight, / And I heard what he said to her:
"‘-Ah, I'd far liefer marry / _You_, Dear, to-morrow! ' he said, / ‘But that cannot be. '-O I'd give him to Carry, / And willingly see them wed,
"But how can I do it when / His baby will soon be born? / After that I hope I may die. And then / She can have him. I shall not mourn! "
What this Textopian page supports
The Wedding Morning is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Hardy, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Tragedy, Drama, Poetry
- Length: 185 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wedding Morning by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- In The Room Of The Bride Elect by Thomas Hardy
- The Two Wives by Thomas Hardy
- The Rash Bride by Thomas Hardy
- The Husbands View by Thomas Hardy
- She Charged Me by Thomas Hardy
- Fetching Her by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex emotional themes and character development, typical of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic relationships and the emotional turmoil associated with them.
- Tragedy — The themes of unrequited love and personal sacrifice suggest a tragic undertone.
- Drama — The dialogue and emotional conflicts indicate a dramatic narrative structure.
Tags
love · marriage · betrayal · society · class · romance · tradition · conflict · fate · human emotions · relationships · commitment