neutral tones poem thomas hardy

'Neutral Tones' Poem By Thomas Hardy

'Neutral Tones' Poem

We stood by a pond that winter day,

And the sun was white, as though chidden of God,

And a few leaves lay on the starving sod;

-They had fallen from an ash, and were gray.

Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove

Over tedious riddles of years ago;

And some words played between us to and fro

On which lost the more by our love

The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing

Alive enough to have strength to die;

And a grin of bitterness swept thereby

Like an ominous bird a-wing...

Since then, keen lessons that love deceives,

And wrings with wrong, have shaped to me

Your face, and the God-curst sun, and a tree,

And a pond edged wth grayish leaves.

Analysis of "Neutral Tones" by Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy's "Neutral Tones," written in 1867, is a deeply evocative poem that explores the disillusionment and emotional aftermath of a failed relationship. Below, I’ll analyze the poem’s key elements—structure, imagery, symbolism, tone, language, and relationship dynamics—before offering a conclusion that encapsulates its significance.

Structure and Form

"Neutral Tones" consists of four quatrains, each following an ABBA rhyme scheme. This consistent structure provides a sense of order, which contrasts sharply with the emotional turmoil described within the poem. The regularity of the form might suggest the speaker’s attempt to impose control over the chaos of their feelings, making the contrast between form and content a key feature of the poem’s impact.

Imagery

Hardy employs bleak, colorless imagery to create a desolate atmosphere that mirrors the speaker’s inner state:

• "The sun was white, as though chidden of God": The sun, typically a symbol of warmth and life, is stripped of its vibrancy, appearing pale and scolded.


• "And a pond edged with grayish leaves": The gray leaves surrounding the pond evoke decay and lifelessness.


• "The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing": Even a smile, usually associated with joy, becomes a lifeless, haunting image.

This imagery paints a stark, monochromatic scene that underscores the absence of vitality in both the landscape and the relationship.

Symbolism

The poem’s images carry symbolic weight, deepening its meaning:

• The "white" sun suggests a lack of warmth or divine favor, reflecting the speaker’s emotional coldness.


• The "grayish leaves" symbolize decay and the end of vitality, paralleling the death of the relationship.


• The "smile" as "the deadest thing" represents the hollow remnants of affection, emphasizing the complete erosion of happiness.

These symbols collectively reinforce the theme of emotional barrenness.

Tone and Mood

The tone of "Neutral Tones" is somber and reflective, tinged with resignation. The mood is unmistakably melancholic, immersing the reader in the speaker’s sense of loss and emotional distance. Hardy achieves this through understated yet powerful language that avoids melodrama, making the despair feel all the more authentic.

Language and Diction

Hardy’s word choice amplifies the poem’s themes of hopelessness and desolation:

• "Chidden" (rebuked or scolded) implies disapproval, possibly from a higher power, adding a layer of existential bleakness.


• "Starving sod" evokes barrenness and a lack of sustenance, both literal and emotional.


• "God-curst" suggests divine abandonment, intensifying the sense of isolation.

These carefully selected words weave a tapestry of despair that resonates throughout the poem.

Relationship Dynamics

At the heart of "Neutral Tones" is a past encounter between the speaker and their lover, marked by emotional detachment:

• "Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove / Over tedious riddles of years ago": The lover’s gaze is disinterested, treating the speaker as a tiresome puzzle from the past.


• "And some words played between us to and fro / On which lost the more by our love": Their conversation is futile, with both parties suffering as a result of their failed love.

This exchange highlights a breakdown in communication and a mutual sense of loss, portraying the relationship as a source of pain rather than connection.

The Final Stanza

The poem’s closing stanza broadens the speaker’s personal experience into a universal reflection:

• "Since then, keen lessons that love deceives, / And wrings with wrong, have shaped to me / Your face, and the God-curst sun, and a tree, / And a pond edged with grayish leaves": The speaker reveals how the pain of this relationship has permanently altered their worldview, linking the lover’s face with the bleak imagery of the earlier stanzas.

This shift suggests that the lessons of love’s deceit and anguish have left a lasting imprint, coloring all future perceptions.

Conclusion

Thomas Hardy’s "Neutral Tones" is a poignant meditation on the disillusionment of love, masterfully conveyed through its bleak imagery, somber tone, and structured form. The poem’s consistent quatrains and ABBA rhyme scheme stand in stark contrast to the emotional chaos they contain, perhaps reflecting the speaker’s struggle to order their pain. Through vivid, colorless imagery—such as the "white" sun, "grayish leaves," and a smile deemed "the deadest thing"—Hardy crafts a desolate landscape that mirrors the speaker’s inner desolation. The relationship at the poem’s core, marked by emotional distance and futile communication, serves as the catalyst for a broader reflection on love’s capacity to deceive and wound. In its final stanza, the speaker’s personal grief expands into a timeless commentary on heartbreak’s enduring impact, making "Neutral Tones" a universally relatable exploration of loss. Hardy’s accessible yet evocative language ensures the poem’s resonance, cementing its place as a powerful study of human emotion.