Then and Now by Thomas Hardy (1917)
The work contrasts the ideals of chivalry and honor in warfare with the brutal realities of modern conflict. It begins by depicting a time when battles were fought with a sense of nobility, where soldiers adhered to codes of conduct that emphasized fairness and honor. The imagery evokes a romanticized view of knights who valued their reputations and fought openly, believing that dying in battle with honor was preferable to living with shame. As the narrative progresses, it shifts to a stark critique of contemporary warfare, highlighting the absence of honor in modern battles. The speaker reflects on the moral decay in military conduct, where cunning and treachery have replaced the noble principles of the past. The reference to historical figures like Rama and Herod underscores the loss of innocence and the prevalence of ruthless tactics in modern conflicts. The juxtaposition of the two eras serves to illustrate a profound disillusionment with the evolution of warfare, suggesting that the noble ideals once held dear have been corrupted by the realities of power and survival. The work ultimately questions the very nature of honor in a world where the rules of engagement have drastically changed, leaving a haunting reflection on the cost of such transformations.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Literature · 201 words
First lines
WHEN battles were fought / With a chivalrous sense of Should and Ought, / In spirit men said, / "End we quick or dead, / Honour is some reward! / Let us fight fair-for our own best or worst; / So, Gentlemen of the Guard, / Fire first!"
In the open they stood, / Man to man in his knightlihood: / They would not deign / To profit by a stain / On the honourable rules, / Knowing that practise perfidy no man durst / Who in the heroic schools / Was nurst.
But now, behold, what / Is warfare wherein honour is not! / Rama laments / Its dead innocents: / Herod breathes: "Sly slaughter / Shall rule! Let us, by modes once called accurst, / Overhead, under water, / Stab first. "
What this Textopian page supports
Then and Now is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Literature, Social Commentary, Drama
- Length: 201 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Then and Now 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
Similar titles
- A Modern Idyll by Frank Harris
- The Wash Tub Mail by Gertrude Atherton
- Civilized Barbarism by Charles Kingsley
- The Conformers by Thomas Hardy
- A Circular by Thomas Hardy
- The Little Old Table by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Historical Fiction — The themes reflect historical contexts and moral dilemmas related to warfare and honor.
- Philosophical Literature — The text explores deep moral questions about honor and the nature of warfare.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques contemporary views on honor and warfare, reflecting societal values.
Tags
nostalgia · change · society · time · memory · progress · human experience · rural life · urbanization · relationships · conflict · identity