5.1.1

Summary & Structure

Test yourself

Summary of Neutral Tones

Thomas Hardy's Neutral Tones is about two lovers coming to the end of their relationship.

Illustrative background for SummaryIllustrative background for Summary ?? "content

Summary

  • The poem follows two lovers coming to the end of their relationship, as they stand next to a pond in winter.
  • The weather and the landscape reflect the stagnation (standing still) of their relationship and the bitterness between them.
  • Hardy uses ominous imagery throughout to signal the end of their connection and the bitter mourning his narrator feels at the end of the poem.
Illustrative background for HardyIllustrative background for Hardy ?? "content

Hardy

  • Thomas Hardy was the author of novels such as Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
  • He was known for the dark realism (focusing on presenting reality) of his prose.
Illustrative background for ContextIllustrative background for Context ?? "content

Context

  • Neutral Tones is focused on an earlier, failed relationship.
  • We see a relationship that has stagnated (stopped moving) and frozen. It is like the stillness and lack of vitality (life) in the winter setting of the poem.

Structure and Form of Neutral Tones

The poem is a lyric poem with a circular structure.

Illustrative background for Circular structureIllustrative background for Circular structure ?? "content

Circular structure

  • The poem has a circular structure as the first line is echoed in the final line.
  • This creates a sense of frustration. It reflects the narrators’ awareness that his relationship is over, and that he is stuck in his feelings of sadness and disappointment.
Illustrative background for Lyric poemIllustrative background for Lyric poem ?? "content

Lyric poem

  • Neutral Tones is a lyric poem (expresses personal feelings or emotions) following the bitter feelings around a relationship ending.
Illustrative background for IndentingIllustrative background for Indenting ?? "content

Indenting

  • The indented final line of each stanza slows the pace of the poem.

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