Poetry - Neutral Tones

Question 1

Context for Neutral Tones

Answer 1

• Written 1898 by unhappily married Thomas Hardy (1840-1928).
• He was depressed and insecure as his relationships had failed.
• He was heavily influenced by the Romantics.

Question 2

Summary of Neutral Tones

Answer 2

A story of the descent of a relationship and love itself through a person’s deception of their partner.

Question 3

Theme Comparisons for Neutral Tones

Answer 3

Deception - La Belle Dame

Question 4

Message of Neutral Tones

Answer 4

Impact of loss

Question 5

Structure and form points for Neutral Tones

Answer 5

• Cyclical structure - unchanged relationship.
• Uneven rhythm - unsteady emotions.
• First person, recounting the past - reflective and depressed.
• ABBA rhyme scheme sandwiches couplet - like inner emotions in facades.

Question 6

Language points for Neutral Tones

Answer 6

• winter’s day - pathetic fallacy
• starving sod - sibilance, death and despair
• smile was the deadest thing - juxtaposes life and death
• wrings with wrong - love is unkind and romance spoiled.