“The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

“The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy was first published in 1904 as part of his collection Time’s Laughingstocks and Other Verses. The poem reflects Hardy’s deep interest in history, particularly the Napoleonic Wars, and his fascination with the impact of historical events on individuals and landscapes. In “The Field of Waterloo,” Hardy employs a somber tone and vivid imagery to evoke the desolate aftermath of the famous battle. He juxtaposes the serene present-day landscape with the ghostly echoes of the past, creating a haunting atmosphere that underscores the futility and tragedy of war. The poem is notable for its elegiac tone, its evocative descriptions of the battlefield, and its philosophical musings on the enduring nature of human suffering and the cyclical nature of history.

Text: “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

Annotations of “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

Line	Text	Annotation
1	The coneys are scared by the thud of hoofs,	Rabbits (coneys) are frightened by the sound of horses’ hooves.
2	And their white scuts flash at their vanishing heels,	Their white tails (scuts) are visible as they quickly run away.
3	And swallows abandon the hamlet-roofs.	Swallows leave the roofs of the small village.
4	The mole’s tunnelled chambers are crushed by wheels,	The underground tunnels of moles are destroyed by the wheels of vehicles or artillery.
5	The lark’s eggs scattered, their owners fled;	Lark eggs are scattered, and the birds have fled.
6	And the hedgehog’s household the sapper unseals.	The homes of hedgehogs are exposed by military engineers (sappers).
7	The snail draws in at the terrible tread,	The snail retracts into its shell due to the terrifying sound of footsteps.
8	But in vain; he is crushed by the felloe-rim.	Despite retracting, the snail is crushed by the wheel’s rim.
9	The worm asks what can be overhead,	The worm wonders what is happening above ground.
10	And wriggles deep from a scene so grim,	The worm burrows deeper to escape the grim scene.
11	And guesses him safe; for he does not know	The worm feels safe, unaware of the true danger.
12	What a foul red flood will be soaking him!	The worm does not know that blood will soon soak the ground.
13	Beaten about by the heel and toe	Butterflies are trampled by human feet.
14	Are butterflies, sick of the day’s long rheum,	Butterflies, already weakened by the day’s dampness, are further harmed.
15	To die of a worse than the weather-foe.	The butterflies die from being trampled, a fate worse than bad weather.
16	Trodden and bruised to a miry tomb	Ears of grain are trampled and crushed into the muddy ground.
17	Are ears that have greened but will never be gold,	Young, green ears of grain that will never mature into golden stalks.
18	And flowers in the bud that will never bloom.	Budding flowers are destroyed before they can bloom.

Literary and Poetic Devices in “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

Literary/Poetic Device	Example from Poem	Explanation	Function
2. Anaphora	“And their white scuts…,” “And swallows…,” “And the hedgehog’s…”	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.	Emphasizes the repeated actions and reinforces the poem’s theme.
3. Assonance	“hoofs,” “roofs,” “crushed”	Repetition of vowel sounds within words.	Creates internal rhyme and aural unity.
4. Consonance	“felloe-rim,” “grim“	Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.	Contributes to the poem’s sonic texture and reinforces meaning.
5. Enjambment	“What a foul red flood will be/soaking him!”	The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza.	Creates a sense of flow and momentum, mimicking the chaos of the scene.
6. Hyperbole	“foul red flood” (referring to blood)	Exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect.	Intensifies the graphic imagery and highlights the brutality of the event.
7. Imagery	“white scuts flash,” “mole’s tunnelled chambers,” “snail draws in”	Vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses (sight, sound, etc.).	Creates a visual and visceral experience for the reader, immersing them in the scene.
8. Irony	“guesses him safe; for he does not know” (the worm)	A contrast between expectation and reality.	Highlights the tragic ignorance of the creatures and emphasizes the destructive force of war.
9. Metaphor	“miry tomb” (referring to the mud)	A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”	Enhances the imagery and conveys the finality of death.
10. Onomatopoeia	“thud”	A word that imitates the sound it represents.	Adds aural realism and reinforces the impact of the event.
11. Personification	“the snail draws in,” “the worm asks”	Attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects or animals.	Adds emotional depth and allows the reader to empathize with the creatures.
12. Repetition	“And…” at the beginning of many lines	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.	Reinforces the continuous and relentless nature of the destruction.
13. Rhyme	“heels”/”unseals,” “tread”/”overhead”	Repetition of sounds at the ends of words.	Creates a musical effect and adds structure to the poem.
14. Simile	“To die of a worse than the weather-foe.”	A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”	Clarifies and intensifies the danger the creatures face, comparing it to a deadly enemy.
15. Symbolism	“flowers in the bud that will never bloom”	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.	Represents lost potential and the tragedy of lives cut short.
16. Tone	Somber, mournful, tragic	The author’s attitude towards the subject.	Conveys the devastation and loss caused by the war.
17. Visual Imagery	“white scuts flash,” “flowers in the bud”	Descriptions that appeal to the sense of sight.	Creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.
18. Auditory Imagery	“thud of hoofs”	Descriptions that appeal to the sense of sound.	Enhances the realism and impact of the scene.
19. Kinesthetic Imagery	“wriggles deep”	Descriptions that appeal to the sense of movement.	Adds a dynamic element to the imagery.
20. Tactile Imagery	“trodden and bruised”	Descriptions that appeal to the sense of touch.	Conveys the physical suffering of the creatures.

Themes in “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

1. The Futility and Brutality of War: Hardy vividly portrays the senseless destruction caused by war in “The Field of Waterloo.” He describes the ravaged landscape and the innocent creatures crushed underfoot, emphasizing the pointlessness of the bloodshed. The lines “The mole’s tunnelled chambers are crushed by wheels, / The lark’s eggs scattered, their owners fled” illustrate the indiscriminate nature of violence, where even the smallest and most vulnerable are not spared. This theme serves as a poignant commentary on the human cost of conflict, highlighting the loss of life and the disruption of natural harmony.
2. The Inevitability of Suffering: Throughout the poem, Hardy explores the theme of suffering as an inherent part of existence. The creatures’ plight, from the conies fleeing in fear to the worm wriggling deep into the earth, reflects the universal struggle for survival. The snail, despite its attempts to retreat, is ultimately crushed, underscoring the harsh reality that suffering is often unavoidable. This theme resonates with Hardy’s broader philosophical outlook, which acknowledges the harsh realities of life and the inherent pain that accompanies existence.
3. The Disruption of Nature’s Harmony: Hardy’s poem paints a stark contrast between the idyllic natural world and the destructive force of human conflict. The peaceful countryside, with its “hamlet-roofs” and “lark’s eggs,” is violently disrupted by the “thud of hoofs” and the “terrible tread” of the soldiers. This disruption symbolizes the broader ecological consequences of war, where human actions can irreversibly damage the environment. The poem serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the delicate balance of nature and the devastating impact of human intervention.
4. The Inevitability of Death: Hardy’s portrayal of death in “The Field of Waterloo” is unflinching and direct. The poem’s closing lines, “Trodden and bruised to a miry tomb / Are ears that have greened but will never be gold,” speak to the finality of death and the lost potential of those who perish. This theme is a recurring motif in Hardy’s work, reflecting his preoccupation with mortality and the transient nature of life. The poem serves as a meditation on death’s inevitability and the profound impact it has on both individuals and the natural world.

Literary Theories and “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

Literary Theory	Application to “The Field of Waterloo”	References and Critique
Ecocriticism	Analyzes how the poem highlights the devastation of nature by human conflict. The destruction of animal habitats, the scattering of lark eggs, and the trampling of plants underscore the environmental impact of war.	Ecocriticism explores how literature portrays the relationship between humans and the natural world. Hardy’s detailed imagery of environmental destruction critiques humanity’s disregard for nature during war. (Glotfelty, Cheryll. “The Ecocriticism Reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology.”)
Historical Criticism	Places the poem in the context of the Battle of Waterloo, reflecting on the historical event’s impact on both human and natural environments. Hardy’s depiction of the battlefield conveys the chaos and aftermath of the battle.	Historical criticism examines the historical context in which a work was written. Hardy’s work is seen as a reflection on the profound and lasting effects of historical events like Waterloo on the landscape and society. (Brannigan, John. “New Historicism and Cultural Materialism.”)
Marxist Criticism	Highlights class struggles and the exploitation of lower classes. The battlefield, where both common soldiers and animals suffer, can be seen as a metaphor for the exploitation and oppression of the lower classes by those in power.	Marxist criticism focuses on class conflicts and material conditions. The destruction of the natural world and common lives in the poem may symbolize the broader social and economic conflicts exacerbated by war. (Eagleton, Terry. “Marxism and Literary Criticism.”)
Postcolonial Criticism	Although not directly related to colonial themes, the poem can be read as a critique of the imperialistic ventures that lead to such battles. The natural world’s destruction symbolizes the broader impact of colonialism and warfare on both people and nature.	Postcolonial criticism examines the effects of colonialism on cultures and societies. Hardy’s poem, through its vivid depiction of war’s aftermath, can be interpreted as a critique of the imperialistic conflicts that devastate lands and lives. (Said, Edward. “Culture and Imperialism.”)

Topics, Essays Questions, and Thesis Statements about “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

Topic	Essay Question	Thesis Statement
Environmental Impact of War	How does Thomas Hardy depict the environmental consequences of the Battle of Waterloo in his poem “The Field of Waterloo”?	In “The Field of Waterloo,” Thomas Hardy vividly illustrates the environmental devastation caused by war, portraying the destruction of animal habitats and plant life as a poignant critique of humanity’s disregard for nature during conflict.
Human and Animal Suffering	What is the significance of juxtaposing human and animal suffering in Hardy’s “The Field of Waterloo”?	By juxtaposing human and animal suffering in “The Field of Waterloo,” Thomas Hardy emphasizes the universal toll of war, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of its destruction and challenging the glorification of battle.
Historical Reflection	How does Hardy’s “The Field of Waterloo” reflect on the historical event of the Battle of Waterloo and its aftermath?	“The Field of Waterloo” serves as a somber reflection on the Battle of Waterloo, using vivid imagery and natural symbolism to convey the lasting scars left on the landscape and the lives disrupted by the historic conflict.
Critique of War and Imperialism	In what ways does “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy serve as a critique of war and imperialism?	Through the portrayal of the battlefield’s devastation and the suffering of innocent creatures, Thomas Hardy’s “The Field of Waterloo” critiques the senselessness of war and the imperialistic ventures that lead to widespread destruction and suffering.

Short Questions/Answers about “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

• **Question:** How does Hardy use animal imagery to convey the impact of war in “The Field of Waterloo”?
• **Answer:** Hardy employs vivid animal imagery to underscore the devastating consequences of war on the natural world. The fleeing conies, crushed mole chambers, scattered lark’s eggs, and the doomed snail and worm all symbolize the innocent victims caught in the crossfire. This animal-centric perspective humanizes the tragedy, evoking empathy for the creatures’ suffering and highlighting the senselessness of violence.
• **Question:** What is the significance of the poem’s title, “The Field of Waterloo”?
• **Answer:** The title “The Field of Waterloo” immediately establishes a historical context, referencing the infamous battleground. However, Hardy shifts the focus from the human drama of the battle to its aftermath and lingering impact on the landscape and its inhabitants. This shift challenges the glorification of war, highlighting its enduring consequences on the environment and the lives it touches.
• **Question:** How does the poem’s structure contribute to its overall meaning?
• **Answer:** The poem’s consistent ABAB rhyme scheme and rhythmic structure create a sense of inevitability and relentless progression, mirroring the unstoppable march of war and its devastating consequences. The use of enjambment, where sentences run over multiple lines, further enhances this feeling of momentum and chaos. This formal structure reinforces the poem’s thematic exploration of the destructive force of war and its lasting impact on the natural world.
• **Question:** What is the central message or theme of “The Field of Waterloo”?
• **Answer:** “The Field of Waterloo” serves as a powerful indictment of war, highlighting its futility, brutality, and enduring consequences. Through vivid imagery and poignant descriptions, Hardy challenges the romantic notions of war and instead focuses on the suffering it inflicts upon innocent creatures and the natural world. The poem’s central message is a cautionary one, reminding us of the devastating impact of human conflict and the importance of preserving life and the environment.

Suggested Readings: “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

Representative Quotations from about “The Field of Waterloo” by Thomas Hardy

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Yea, the coneys are scared by the thud of hoofs, And their white scuts flash at their vanishing heels, And swallows abandon the hamlet-roofs.”	This excerpt describes the disruption of wildlife due to the chaos of battle, where even the rabbits (coneys) and birds (swallows) are driven away by the noise and commotion.	Ecocriticism: Highlights the impact of human conflict on nature, showing how even small creatures are displaced by war.
“The mole’s tunnelled chambers are crushed by wheels, The lark’s eggs scattered, their owners fled; And the hedgehog’s household the sapper unseals.”	Hardy details the destruction of natural habitats, emphasizing the violence inflicted not just on humans but also on unsuspecting wildlife during the battle.	Ecofeminism: Connects the violence against the earth and its creatures to broader themes of exploitation and vulnerability.
“The snail draws in at the terrible tread, But in vain; he is crushed by the felloe-rim. The worm asks what can be overhead,”	This part of the poem illustrates the inevitable harm that comes to even the most sheltered lives (like the snail and worm) during wartime, highlighting their helplessness.	Existentialism: Explores themes of absurdity and the indiscriminate nature of destruction, emphasizing the random and often senseless suffering during war.
“Beaten about by the heel and toe Are butterflies, sick of the day’s long rheum, To die of a worse than the weather-foe.”	Butterflies, symbols of delicacy and beauty, are crushed underfoot in the mire of battle, underscoring the loss of beauty and innocence in war.	Symbolism: Uses the butterfly as a symbol to represent the fragility of life and the tragic loss of beauty in the face of brutal realities.
“Trodden and bruised to a miry tomb Are ears that have greened but will never be gold, And flowers in the bud that will never bloom.”	The final quote reflects on the unfulfilled potential of the natural world, cut short by the violence of war—crops and flowers that will never reach maturity.	Marxist Criticism: Focuses on the economic and potential human loss in war, where even the natural resources necessary for sustaining life are destroyed.