“In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy

“In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy first appeared in 1901 in his collection “Poems of the Past and the Present,” marking a turning point in his literary output, showcasing a deepening pessimism and disillusionment. The poem confronts themes of profound grief, loss, and the uncaring nature of the natural world in the face of human suffering. The title itself, derived from Latin as “In Darkness,” underscores the poem’s exploration of emotional desolation.

Text: “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy

Annotations: “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy  

Stanza	Annotation
1	* Wintertime nighs: Winter approaches, often seen as a symbol of death and hardship. * Percussus sum sicut foenum, et aruit cor meum (Ps. ci): A Latin quote from Psalm 101 meaning “I am withered like grass, and my heart is dried up.” Sets the tone of despair. * Twice no one dies: The speaker acknowledges the finality of death – one cannot die again.
2	* Flower-petals flee: Flowers, representing beauty and life, inevitably die. * But, since it once hath been: The pain of loss, though present, cannot be a new experience. * No more that severing scene / Can harrow me: The speaker has already endured the worst of the loss.
3	* Birds faint in dread: Birds, symbolic of hope and freedom, fear the coming winter. * I shall not lose old strength / In the lone frost’s black length: The speaker is already emotionally numb, incapable of further suffering. * Strength long since fled!: The speaker has already lost their emotional resilience.
4	* Leaves freeze to dun: Leaves, representing vitality, lose their color and life in winter. * But friends can not turn cold / This season as of old / For him with none: The speaker highlights the additional pain of loss in winter for those who are alone.
5	* Tempests may scath: Storms may bring destruction. * But love can not make smart / Again this year his heart / Who no heart hath: Love’s sting is irrelevant to someone who no longer has the capacity to feel it.
6	* Black is night’s cope: Night, symbolizing darkness and death, arrives. * But death will not appal / One who, past doubtings all, / Waits in unhope: The speaker, having lost all hope, does not fear death’s arrival.

Literary and Poetic Devices: “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy

Device	Explanation
Alliteration
Allusion	Reference to Psalms 102:4 in Latin, suggesting a theme of desolation and despair.
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds, as seen in “Twice no one dies.”
Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds, like the “s” sound in “Birds faint in dread.”
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line or stanza.
Imagery	Vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses, such as “lone frost’s black length.”
Irony	The contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, like “Flower-petals flee.”
Metaphor	A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as,” as in “Black is night’s cope.”
Onomatopoeia	The use of words that imitate the sound they describe, like “Tempests may scath.”
Personification	Giving human qualities to non-human entities, as in “Leaves freeze to dun.”
Repetition	Repeated use of words or phrases, such as “Strength long since fled!”
Simile	A comparison using “like” or “as,” as in “Percussus sum sicut foenum.”
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts, such as “Black is night’s cope.”
Synecdoche	A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or the whole for a part, like “Flower-petals flee.”
Tone	The author’s attitude towards the subject, which in this case could be somber or resigned.
Repetition	Repeated use of words or phrases, such as “Strength long since fled!”
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line or stanza.
Metonymy	Substituting the name of one thing with something closely associated with it, like “heart” for emotions.
Oxymoron	The juxtaposition of contradictory terms, as in “lone frost’s black length.”
Apostrophe	Addressing something nonhuman as if it were human, like “Black is night’s cope.”

Themes: “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy  

1. Grief and Loss: One of the central themes of “In Tenebris” is the profound sense of grief and the inability to overcome loss. Hardy portrays this theme through the imagery of winter and the repetition of sorrowful refrains. For instance, the lines “Wintertime nighs; / But my bereavement-pain / It cannot bring again” encapsulate the enduring anguish of the speaker, highlighting the permanent void left by loss. The poem reflects on the futile longing to reverse the irreversible, underscoring the inescapable nature of grief.
2. Resilience and Endurance: Despite the pervasive sorrow depicted in the poem, there is also a theme of resilience and inner strength. Hardy suggests that even in the darkest of times, there remains a glimmer of fortitude within the human spirit. The line “Strength long since fled!” implies a resilience that persists despite the passage of time and the harshness of life’s trials. Through this theme, the poem offers a testament to the indomitable nature of the human soul, capable of enduring even the harshest of winters.
3. Transient Nature of Happiness: Another theme explored in “In Tenebris” is the fleetingness of joy and beauty. Hardy employs imagery of ephemeral natural phenomena, such as flower petals fleeing and leaves freezing, to convey the impermanence of happiness. The line “Flower-petals flee” serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life’s pleasures, highlighting the ephemeral nature of joy and beauty in the face of inevitable change.
4. Existential Reflection: The poem also delves into existential themes, contemplating the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. Through allusions and symbolic language, Hardy prompts reflection on the human condition and the mysteries of existence. The line “Waits in unhope” encapsulates a sense of existential resignation, suggesting a bleak acceptance of the unknown. This theme invites readers to confront the uncertainties of mortality and grapple with the ultimate questions of existence.

Literary Theories and “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy  

Literary Theory	Interpretation
Marxist Criticism	The poem explores the suffering and despair of the working class, with the speaker trapped in a bleak, industrialized world.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	The speaker’s darkness and anguish represent unconscious emotions and repressed desires, with the poem being a manifestation of their inner turmoil.
Feminist Criticism	The poem’s focus on male suffering and despair could be seen as perpetuating patriarchal norms, but also highlights the emotional vulnerability of men.
Postcolonial Criticism	The poem’s themes of oppression and darkness could be seen as a metaphor for colonialism, with the speaker representing the subjugated.
Existentialist Criticism	The poem embodies the existential crisis, with the speaker confronting the meaninglessness of life and the inevitability of suffering.
Deconstruction	The poem’s language and imagery subvert traditional notions of meaning, highlighting the instability of human experience and understanding.
Eco-Criticism	The poem’s focus on nature’s darkness and the speaker’s disconnection from the natural world reflects the environmental crisis and human disconnection from the earth.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements: “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy  

Short Questions/Answers about “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy  

Question	Answer
What is the central theme of the poem, and how is it developed through imagery and metaphor?	The central theme of “In Tenebris” is the speaker’s existential crisis and emotional despair, which is developed through vivid imagery and metaphors that contrast light and darkness, joy and anguish, and hope and despair. Hardy uses imagery like “vaulted night”, “blast of chill November”, and “mirth is the mail of anguish” to convey the speaker’s feeling of being trapped in a bleak and hopeless world.
How does the poem’s structure and form contribute to its overall meaning and effect?	The poem’s structure, with its irregular rhythm and stanza breaks, creates a sense of disjointedness and fragmentation, mirroring the speaker’s fractured emotional state. The use of short sentences and phrases adds to the sense of urgency and desperation, while the repetition of phrases like “I am” and “In the” creates a sense of introspective obsession. This form reinforces the poem’s themes of disconnection and existential crisis.
What role does nature play in the poem, and how does it relate to the speaker’s emotional state?	Nature in the poem is a reflection of the speaker’s inner turmoil, with the “vaulted night” and “blast of chill November” symbolizing the darkness and coldness of their emotional state. The natural world is also depicted as indifferent to human suffering, emphasizing the speaker’s feelings of isolation and despair. The contrast between the natural world’s beauty and the speaker’s emotional pain highlights the disconnection between the individual and the world around them.
How does the poem engage with the idea of performance and authenticity, particularly in relation to emotions and identity?	The poem explores the tension between performed emotions and authentic feelings, with the speaker acknowledging that “mirth is the mail of anguish” and that they wear a mask of joy to hide their true pain. This performance of emotions is contrasted with the speaker’s inner turmoil, highlighting the disconnection between their public persona and private self. The poem suggests that true emotions are often hidden behind a mask of social acceptability, and that authenticity is difficult to achieve in a society that values appearances over truth.

Literary Works Similar to “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy  

1. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot: Like “In Tenebris,” Eliot’s modernist poem explores themes of disillusionment, despair, and the fragmentation of modern life. Both works employ vivid imagery and allusions to create a sense of existential angst and spiritual emptiness.
2. “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe: Poe’s poem shares with “In Tenebris” a brooding atmosphere and themes of grief, loss, and the macabre. Both works feature a solitary narrator grappling with existential questions amidst darkness and despair.
3. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: Another poem by Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” similarly delves into themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a fragmented world. Like “In Tenebris,” it employs vivid imagery and introspective narration to evoke a sense of existential unease.
4. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas: Thomas’s poem, while focused on the theme of mortality and the defiance against death, shares with “In Tenebris” a contemplation of the human condition and the inevitability of loss. Both works employ powerful language and emotional intensity to convey the struggle against darkness and despair.
5. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: Frost’s poem explores themes of choice, regret, and the passage of time, resonating with the existential reflections found in “In Tenebris.” Both works invite readers to contemplate the consequences of life’s decisions and the uncertainties of the future.

Suggested Readings for Further Analysis of “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy  

Books:

• Straus, Nina Pelikan. THOMAS HARDY: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPLEX CONSCIOUSNESS. New York University, 1978.
• Harvey, Geoffrey. Thomas Hardy. Routledge, 2003.
• Washburn, Caitlin. The Image of Christ in Thomas Hardy’s Poetry of Progress. Diss. 2012.
• Pinion, Francis Bertram. A Hardy Companion: A Guide to the Works of Thomas Hardy. Springer, 2016.

Articles:

• Dowling, Gregory. “Thomas Hardy’s Poems of the First World War.” Atti del congresso di Venezia. Vol. 24. 2014.
• McAlindon, Tom. “Time and mutability in the poetry of Thomas Hardy.” English Studies 97.1 (2016): 22-41.

Website Links:

• Poets.org – Thomas Hardy: https://poets.org/poet/thomas-hardy
• The Thomas Hardy Society: https://www.hardysociety.org/
• The Poetry Foundation – Thomas Hardy: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/thomas-hardy

Representative Quotations from “In Tenebris” by Thomas Hardy 

Quotation	Context	Theorization
“Twice no one dies.”	The speaker reflects on the finality of death and loss.	This line highlights the irreversibility of death, emphasizing the speaker’s permanent separation from the loved one. (Existentialist theory)
“Strength long since fled!”	The speaker acknowledges their loss of emotional resilience.	This line reveals the speaker’s vulnerability and emotional exhaustion, underscoring the poem’s themes of despair and hopelessness. (Psychoanalytic theory)
“For him with none.”	The speaker laments their isolation and lack of support.	This line emphasizes the speaker’s sense of abandonment and loneliness, highlighting the consequences of loss and grief. (Marxist theory)
“Who no heart hath.”	The speaker describes the impossibility of emotional pain for one who is already emotionally numb.	This line suggests that the speaker has become desensitized to pain, implying a state of emotional numbness and disconnection. (Existentialist theory)
“Waits in unhope.”	The speaker resigns themselves to a state of hopelessness and despair.	This line encapsulates the poem’s themes of despair, resignation, and the abandonment of hope, underscoring the speaker’s existential crisis. (Existentialist theory)