The element of nature ranges greatly, from the physical grandeur of mountains to the reverence of tiny creatures in the poems Afterwards, Rising Five and "Wild Swans at Coole".

... Essay on how 3 poems illustrate how poets have illustrated nature. Maria Sun The element of nature ranges greatly, from the physical grandeur of mountains to the reverence of tiny creatures. In the poems Afterwards, Rising Five and "Wild Swans at Coole", nature is used as a symbol to emphasise the importance of slowing down and appreciating beauty of it and to illustrate it's vivid energy compared to temporary mundane human lives. In the poem Afterwards, Thomas Hardy is anticipating his own death and uses his own feelings and observations of nature as a contrast against his mortality. He identifies himself with the frail, weak, insect like creatures who are "innocent" but like he are doomed to death. In Stanza Three, Hardy observes a hedgehog that "travels furtively over the lawn". Hardy himself, feels out of place with his wild ideas in an orderly community like the hedgehog,

want to read more? →