Neutral tones

• What literary device is used in "pathetic fallacy"?

  Attributing human emotions to nature
• How does Hardy distort nature in his poetry?

  To reflect passion and feelings of loss
• What does the imagery of "winter swans" suggest in Hardy's work?

  It symbolizes coldness and emotional distance
• What does the phrase "the sun's lack of passion" imply?

  It suggests a feeling of emotional emptiness
• What does the speaker reflect on in "away, winter swans"?

  The demise of their love
• How does Hardy convey the theme of loss in his poetry?

  Through imagery and emotional language
• What does the phrase "the deadest thing" refer to in Hardy's work?

  It symbolizes the end of intimacy
• What does the speaker struggle to distinguish between?

  Life and death
• What does the cyclical nature of Hardy's themes suggest?

  Life progresses through recurring pain
• How does the context of Hardy's work explain the speaker's feelings?

  It highlights the depressing progress in life
• What is the significance of "the stone on your mouth" in Hardy's poetry?

  It symbolizes emotional heaviness and loss
• What does the phrase "both been lost" imply in the context of the poem?

  Both individuals have lost their connection
• How does Hardy's portrayal of relationships reflect his views on love?

  It often depicts love as painful and transient
• What does the term "intimacy/communication" refer to in Hardy's work?

  It highlights the breakdown of emotional connection
• What does the phrase "the end of the relationship" signify in Hardy's poetry?

  It marks a transition to emotional pain
• How does Hardy's use of nature reflect human emotions?

  Nature mirrors the speaker's feelings of loss
• What does the phrase "the speaker unable to" suggest about their emotional state?

  They are overwhelmed by their feelings
• What does "context explains the depressing progress in life" imply?

  Life is often filled with sorrow and loss