In simple terms, Thomas Hardy believed that a poet has a dual responsibility: to capture the emotions experienced by people throughout history and to convey their own contemporary thoughts. This means that poets should look back at how humans have felt across different ages while also expressing what they themselves think about current issues.
Digging deeper into this idea reveals a profound understanding of poetry’s role in society. Hardy suggests that true poetry bridges time, connecting past emotions with present-day concerns. By doing so, it not only preserves and interprets historical sentiments but also provides a context for modern thoughts to resonate with those of the past. This intergenerational connection allows readers to see how timeless human experiences shape both personal and collective identities across different eras.
Thomas Hardy was an influential British novelist and poet who lived from 1840 to 1928. He is best known for his novels set in the fictional county of Wessex, such as "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and "Far from the Madding Crowd," but he also left a significant legacy through his poetry. Hardy’s work often explored themes of human suffering and the complexities of rural life, reflecting his deep understanding of both historical contexts and contemporary issues of his time.
