1.1.3

Themes: Time & Anger

Test yourself

Significance of Time

The narrator has a strong sense of time in this poem, emphasising that he cannot imagine not feeling this way. The foreshadowing throughout reminds us that the poem is written from the poet's current perspective.

Illustrative background for Repetition - 'long, long'Illustrative background for Repetition - 'long, long' ?? "content

Repetition - 'long, long'

  • The repetition of 'long, long' in line 23 suggests he cannot imagine not feeling this way.
Illustrative background for 'Long years'Illustrative background for 'Long years' ?? "content

'Long years'

  • At the end of the poem, the narrator imagines their reunion after 'long years'.
Illustrative background for ForeshadowingIllustrative background for Foreshadowing ?? "content

Foreshadowing

  • The poem is also written from the poet’s perspective now – so it is filled with foreshadowing for the end of the poem.
    • 'It felt like the warning' (line 11).
    • 'Truly that hour foretold' (line 7).

Frustration and Anger

The poem describes the end of a relationship, and focuses on the narrator’s feelings of bitterness, regret and loss. The poem also explores the narrator’s inability to share his pain, as the relationship was an illicit (forbidden) one.

Illustrative background for Language of bitterness and angerIllustrative background for Language of bitterness and anger ?? "content

Language of bitterness and anger

  • The narrator uses language of bitterness and anger towards his lover.
    • 'Thy vows are all broken'.
    • 'That thy heart could forget, / Thy spirit deceive'.
    • 'Long, long shall I rue thee'.
  • These lines build up a sense that the narrator is resentful of his lover, and feels that he has been unjustly rejected.
  • His use of the word 'rue', meaning to bitterly regret, suggests that he feels that the relationship was not worth the intense pain he feels now.
Illustrative background for Secrecy and frustrationIllustrative background for Secrecy and frustration ?? "content

Secrecy and frustration

  • There is a clear sense of the secrecy of their relationship.
    • 'In secret we met – In silence I grieve' (lines 25-26).
    • This quote demonstrates the narrator’s frustration that he cannot share with others the nature of his pain.

Jump to other topics

1When We Two Parted - Lord Byron (1788-1824)

2Love’s Philosophy - Percy Bysshe Shelley

3Porphyria’s Lover - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

4Sonnet 29 - Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

4.1Sonnet 29 – ‘I think of thee!’ Analysis

5Neutral Tones - Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

6Letters from Yorkshire - Maura Dooley (Born 1957)

7The Farmer’s Bride - Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)

8Walking Away - Cecil Day Lewis (1904-1972)

9Eden Rock - Charles Causley (1917-2003)

10Follower - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

11‘Mother, Any Distance’ - Simon Armitage (Born1963

12Before You Were Mine - Carol Ann Duffy (Born 1955)

13Winter Swans - Owen Sheers (Born 1974)

14Singh Song! - Daljit Nagra (Born 1966)

15Climbing My Grandfather - Andrew Waterhouse

16Grade 9 - Comparisons

16.1Grade 9 - Comparisons

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson