IN TIME OF THE BREAKING OF NATIONS by Thomas Hardy Study Guide and Notes

Top Questions and Answers and Notes about the Poem “In Time of ‘The Breaking of Nations’” By Thomas Hardy:

Top Questions and Answers and Notes about the Poem “In Time of ‘The Breaking of Nations’” By Thomas Hardy:

Question:

What does the time of the Breaking of Nations signify? What will remain undisturbed even in such a time?

Or

Describe the three country pictures given in Hardy’s poem. Is there a comparison between permanence and impermanence?

Answer:

In his poem Thomas Hardy speaks of the time during war among nations. This is the time of destruction and death. But Hardy sings of the glory of the elemental and eternal processes of life during the period of war ravages. This he does through the presentation of three simple country pictures. These pictures represent three different walks of life. An old farmer is slowly and silently breaking the clods with an old horse. War cannot stop them. A thin smoke rises out from the heaps of burning cauch grass. It indicates the continuity of domestic life. The third picture presents a maid and her wight lost in making love.

          In the Bible we read that God says he will break the nations and bring destruction. In this poem Hardy contests this view. He argues that war breaks nations to pieces but elemental processes of life remain undisturbed. Cultivation, domestic life and love making triumph over war’s ravages. The title of the poem is apt. Pessimistic poet is optimistic here.

 

‘In Time of ‘The Breaking of Nations’” By Thomas Hardy Analysis and Summary

Summary of the Poem “In Time of ‘The Breaking of Nations’” by Thomas Hardy:

Summary / Analysis:

The poem is about the continuity of the living processes. Neither war, nor the breaking of nations can stop it. In the midst of violent changes the basic occupations of life go on unchanged. The poet believes that the basic occupations of life will survive war and death.

In the first stanza the agricultural operation carried on by a man with the help of his animal is described. A man is harrowing clods slowly and silently with tired, over-worked old horse.

The second stanza describes the burning of coach-grass. Thin flameless smoke is seen going up to the sky from the heaps of burning coach-grass. This goes on undisturbed though dynasties pass.

The third stanza describes love making. War’s annals will fade but not the story of love and lovers.