Why be at Pains? by Thomas Hardy
The work explores themes of love, longing, and existential uncertainty through a lyrical dialogue. The speaker expresses a desire for connection, questioning the motivations behind the object of their affection's actions. The imagery of nature, such as breezes and the sea, serves to highlight the emotional landscape of the speaker, who feels isolated and yearns for companionship. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of moments and the weight of choices, suggesting that despite the allure of potential love, there is an underlying fear of the unknown. The metaphor of the "lampless uphill track" symbolizes the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead, contrasting with the immediate desire for intimacy. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the tension between hope and despair, recognizing that the pursuit of love may lead to both joy and heartache. The call to join hands signifies a longing for unity, yet the acknowledgment of solitude underscores the complexity of human relationships. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the struggle between the desire for connection and the inevitability of uncertainty, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of love and the human condition. The emotional depth and vivid imagery create a poignant reflection on the intricacies of romantic longing and the existential dilemmas that accompany it.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1912 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 148 words
First lines
(_Wooer's Song_)
WHY be at pains that I should know You sought not me? Do breezes, then, make features glow So rosily? Come, the lit port is at our back, And the tumbling sea; Elsewhere the lampless uphill track To uncertainty!
O should not we two waifs join hands? I am alone, You would enrich me more than lands By being my own. Yet, though this facile moment flies, Close is your tone, And ere to-morrow's dewfall dries I plough the unknown.
What this Textopian page supports
Why be at Pains? is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1912 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: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Existentialism, Nature
- Length: 148 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a lyrical poem that explores themes of love, longing, and existential uncertainty.
- Romanticism — The poem reflects romantic ideals, focusing on emotional depth and the beauty of fleeting moments.
- Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and thoughts aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Existentialism — The themes of uncertainty and the search for meaning in relationships suggest existential undertones.
Tags
suffering · existentialism · human condition · philosophy · pain · struggle · life choices · emotional turmoil · relationships · society · identity · despair