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  1. Amrita Kumari
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    Amrita Kumari

    "The Darkling Thrush" by Thomas Hardy is often seen as a poem of despair and bleakness, but it can also be interpreted as an optimistic poem. The poem portrays the arrival of a new year, and the speaker's mood initially reflects the dreary winter landscape around him. However, as he observes a thrusRead more

    “The Darkling Thrush” by Thomas Hardy is often seen as a poem of despair and bleakness, but it can also be interpreted as an optimistic poem. The poem portrays the arrival of a new year, and the speaker’s mood initially reflects the dreary winter landscape around him. However, as he observes a thrush singing in the midst of the desolation, he begins to see a glimmer of hope and possibility in the world.

    One of the ways in which the poem can be seen as optimistic is through the imagery that Hardy uses. While the landscape is described as “spectre-gray” and the sky is “weakening” and “dying,” the thrush is depicted as a “full-hearted” and “blessed” creature that “flings his soul” into his song. This contrast between the lifeless surroundings and the vibrant thrush suggests that even in the midst of darkness and despair, there can be moments of beauty and vitality.

    Another way in which the poem can be seen as optimistic is through the theme of renewal and regeneration. The arrival of the new year is symbolic of a fresh start and a new beginning, and the speaker reflects on the possibility of the future. He notes that even though the world may seem desolate and hopeless, there is still the potential for change and growth. The thrush’s song represents a kind of rebirth, a sign that life can continue even in the face of adversity.

    Finally, the poem can be seen as optimistic in its overall message of perseverance and resilience. The speaker, initially despondent and disheartened, is able to find a sense of hope and optimism through the simple beauty of the thrush’s song. This suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of finding joy and meaning in life.

    Overall, while “The Darkling Thrush” is a poem that explores themes of death and decay, it can also be read as a poem of optimism and hope. Through the imagery, symbolism, and themes that Hardy employs, the poem suggests that even in the bleakest of times, there is always the potential for renewal, growth, and resilience.

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  1. Amelia mazumder
    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    The time when Hardy wrote this poem, religious faith had declined among the overall population in England. People were not resorting to the church anymore as scientific discoveries and advancements were making people aware and cautious. No longer did they seek the solace of Christianity and this wasRead more

    The time when Hardy wrote this poem, religious faith had declined among the overall population in England. People were not resorting to the church anymore as scientific discoveries and advancements were making people aware and cautious. No longer did they seek the solace of Christianity and this was what the poet seemed to be hinting at in the poem. The declining loss of faith on religion and the unforeseeable future ahead was reflected by Hardy.

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  1. Amelia mazumder
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    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    In the poem, the poet sets up a gloomy and dejected ambience at the beginning. He bemoans the dying century and that is reflected through his description of the bleak winter. Amidst all this, he suddenly hears the voice of a bird. It is an “aged thrush, frail, gaunt and small.” That little bird is sRead more

    In the poem, the poet sets up a gloomy and dejected ambience at the beginning. He bemoans the dying century and that is reflected through his description of the bleak winter. Amidst all this, he suddenly hears the voice of a bird. It is an “aged thrush, frail, gaunt and small.” That little bird is singing a “full-hearted evensong of joy illimited.” The poet is surprised to see a small bird singing amidst all this desolation. The bird seems to be aware of some blessed hope which the poet is yet to discover. The bird’s song depicts the fact that Hope can be found even in the most desolate times. One should have an optimistic approach towards life. If a bird can sing its heart out, the poet believes everyone to be capable of finding hope and joy.

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  1. Amelia mazumder
    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    In this poem, “The Darkling Thrush”, nature seems to reflect the poet’s inner conflict. The gloom of the poet’s mentality is reflected in the bleak and desolate wintery scene. The sky seems to be working as a canopy for the dying century. The wind blowing seems to lament the death of the century andRead more

    In this poem, “The Darkling Thrush”, nature seems to reflect the poet’s inner conflict. The gloom of the poet’s mentality is reflected in the bleak and desolate wintery scene. The sky seems to be working as a canopy for the dying century. The wind blowing seems to lament the death of the century and with it all things good and beneficial. When the poet hears the voice of an aged thrush, singing amidst all the gloom, he portrays the fact that nature’s music never dies. Nature seems to resonate the poet’s emotion and not the other way around. The poet has sought relief and comfort through nature in this poem.

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  1. Amelia mazumder
    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    The speaker felt dejected and gloomy about the season. The world seemed to be sad and winter was drawing to a close. The dejected ambience was profound with the imageries given by the poet. He was saddened by the dying century and the “weakening eye of the day.” Read summary of The Darkling Thrush

    The speaker felt dejected and gloomy about the season. The world seemed to be sad and winter was drawing to a close. The dejected ambience was profound with the imageries given by the poet. He was saddened by the dying century and the “weakening eye of the day.”

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  1. Amelia mazumder
    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    The hesitation discussed in the poem is that of regaining hope amidst all the gloom and despair. The poet seems to be bemoaning the dying century and when he hears a thrush singing a song of “joy illimited”, he is unable to believe that the thrush is aware of some blessed hope that he is yet to findRead more

    The hesitation discussed in the poem is that of regaining hope amidst all the gloom and despair. The poet seems to be bemoaning the dying century and when he hears a thrush singing a song of “joy illimited”, he is unable to believe that the thrush is aware of some blessed hope that he is yet to find. He is torn between despair and hope.

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  1. Vraj Shah
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    Vraj Shah

    The note of bleakness and greyness was abruptly broken by a joyous bird song that seemed to rise from the bleak twigs overhead. It seemed as if an aged thrush which is described as "frail, gaunt and small" with blast- beruffled plume" had chosen to fling its soul into the enveloping darkness as it sRead more

    The note of bleakness and greyness was abruptly broken by a joyous bird song that seemed to rise from the bleak twigs overhead. It seemed as if an aged thrush which is described as “frail, gaunt and small” with blast- beruffled plume” had chosen to fling its soul into the enveloping darkness as it sang in full throated song with unlimited joy. A special note comes in with the use of the word ‘evensong which reminds us of the vespers. The use of this word seems particularly meaningful when one remembers the spiritual and intellectual bleakness and insecurity felt by the thinkers of the age. The use of ‘evensong seems an affirmation of the role of faith and religion. Since the ‘aged thrush’ with ‘blast-beruffled plume’ flings its soul upon the encircling gloom, the atmosphere seems to lighten and lose some of its bleakness.

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  1. Amelia mazumder
    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    The first two stanzas in the poem sets the tone and setting of the poem. The poet creates a gloomy and a bleak scene around him as the winter draws close and the centre to its end. Then the turning point in the poem comes when an aged thrush starts singing a song of “joy illimited” amidst all the deRead more

    The first two stanzas in the poem sets the tone and setting of the poem. The poet creates a gloomy and a bleak scene around him as the winter draws close and the centre to its end. Then the turning point in the poem comes when an aged thrush starts singing a song of “joy illimited” amidst all the desolation. The poem ends with a note of optimism which the bird portrays through its song of hope. The poem starts with the poet describing a morbid ambience and ending in a note of optimism.

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  1. Amelia mazumder
    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    The bird in this poem is a symbol of hope and happiness. The titular darkling thrush symbolizes that Hope can be found even in the darkest of times, only one has to look for it. It’s a symbol of optimism one should have and look for, forgoing all pessimism and dejection. Read summary of The DarklingRead more

    The bird in this poem is a symbol of hope and happiness. The titular darkling thrush symbolizes that Hope can be found even in the darkest of times, only one has to look for it. It’s a symbol of optimism one should have and look for, forgoing all pessimism and dejection.

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  1. Amelia mazumder
    Amelia mazumder
    This answer was edited.

    The theme of this poem is despair of hopelessness and how hope can be regained even in the most desolate of times. Read summary of The Darkling Thrush

    The theme of this poem is despair of hopelessness and how hope can be regained even in the most desolate of times.

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