Thomas Hardy’s Poetry. The Instrumentality and Central Role of Time in Hardy’s Lyrical Oeuvre and World view

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Lyrical Correspondence with the Historical Past

1.1 The Roman Road

1.2 Rome: On The Palantine

2 Nature and Natural Imagery Conceptualised through Temporal Processes

2.1 The Last Chrysanthemum

2.2 The Darkling Thrush

3 Evolutionary Meliorism

3.1 The Concept of Evolutionary Meliorism

3.2 To Outer Nature

3.3 The Lacking Sense

Conclusion

Research Objectives and Key Topics

This thesis examines the central instrumentality and role of time in Thomas Hardy’s lyrical oeuvre. By investigating how temporal concepts and processes structure his poetry and define his worldview, the work explores how Hardy navigates the intersection of personal memory, historical past, nature, and the scientific developments of his era, ultimately aiming to define his self-coined philosophy of Evolutionary Meliorism.

• The role of time and temporal processes in Hardy’s lyrical poetry.
• Correspondence between historical past, nature, and personal narrative.
• Analysis of Hardy’s worldview, specifically Evolutionary Meliorism.
• Investigation of scientific and Darwinian influences on Hardy’s poetic output.
• Examination of recurrent motifs and structural techniques in selected poems.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: Outlines the significance of time as a recurring theme in Hardy’s vast poetic output and defines the three main frameworks—historical past, nature, and Evolutionary Meliorism—used for the analysis.

1 Lyrical Correspondence with the Historical Past: Examines how Hardy bridges the gap between historical events and the personal present, highlighting the instrumental role of temporal connections in his poetry.

2 Nature and Natural Imagery Conceptualised through Temporal Processes: Analyzes the interplay between nature and temporal forces, exploring how Hardy’s poetry reflects a shifting, scientifically-informed view of the world.

3 Evolutionary Meliorism: Investigates the construction of Hardy’s worldview by reconciling scientific paradigm shifts with his personal philosophy, tracing its development and application in his lyrics.

Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that time is the most essential, unifying subject in Hardy’s poetry and the primary tool through which he addresses the complexities of his era.

Keywords

Thomas Hardy, Poetry, Time, Temporal Processes, Evolutionary Meliorism, Historical Past, Nature, Darwinian Theory, Lyrical Oeuvre, Moment of Vision, Roman Road, Darkling Thrush, Worldview, Literature, Victorian Era.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the central focus of this master’s thesis?

The thesis explores the pervasive role of time as a central theme in Thomas Hardy’s lyrical poetry and how it shapes his worldview and artistic expression.

Which specific thematic frameworks are analyzed?

The study focuses on three primary frameworks: the historical past, natural imagery, and the concept of Evolutionary Meliorism.

What is the primary objective of this research?

The goal is to demonstrate how Hardy utilizes time as a flexible instrument to bridge personal and historical narratives while navigating the existential challenges of his time.

Which scientific method is applied in this analysis?

The research conducts an in-depth lyrical analysis of selected poems, investigating their structure, meter, rhyme, and content to interpret how temporal significance is conveyed.

What topics are covered in the main section?

The main section covers the connection between the historical past and lyrical persona, nature’s role through temporal processes, and the development of Hardy’s philosophy of Evolutionary Meliorism.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Key terms include Thomas Hardy, Time, Evolutionary Meliorism, Nature, Historical Past, and Lyrical Oeuvre.

How does the author characterize "The Roman Road"?

The author highlights the poem’s balance between an objective, historical view of the Roman past and the poet’s intimate, personal memories of the Dorset landscape.

What is the significance of "The Darkling Thrush" in this study?

The poem is analyzed as a pivotal work that reflects the bleakness of the turn of the century while simultaneously offering a moment of vision that hints at hope amidst despair.

How does the thesis define "Evolutionary Meliorism"?

It is defined as a worldview where Hardy reconciles the ruthless, aimless processes of natural evolution with human efforts to achieve betterment and find purpose.

What role does the "moment of vision" play in Hardy's poetry?

It acts as a temporal device that allows the poet to transcend the inevitability of time and gain a flash-like insight into the deeper meaning of life.