Which 2 Thomas Hardy poems do you suggest for me to talk about in front of my peers in class?

Question

(Non-native teachers of English, all of us taking part in a university course)

Answer 1

http://www.poetry-archive.com/h/hardy_thomas.html
http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/poetry/hardy.htm

Answer 2

The Division has stuck in my mind for years since I did Hardy's poems at school. It's short and easy to remember, and it's about a relationship so it's good to discuss.
There are a couple of little-used words, too, eg besom (a besom is a brush so this is about brushing or sweeping away something) and thwart (as an adjective, adverse or unfavourable)

Rain on the windows, creaking doors,
With blasts that besom the green,
And I am here, and you are there,
And a hundred miles between!

O were it but the weather, Dear,
O were it but the miles
That summed up all our severance,
There might be room for smiles.

But that thwart thing betwixt us twain,
Which nothing cleaves or clears,
Is more than distance, Dear, or rain,
And longer than the years!

Answer 3

Hardy's poetry is generally quite depressing. "The Darkling Thrush" is probably the most quintessential Hardy poem, although it's a bit heavy going with a lot of undertones of doom and gloom. If you research it properly, though, it's a great social commentary. The other I would pick to epitomise Hardy would be "At Castle Boterel" - although there's almost a glimmer of hope in this one!

Answer 4

My son is called Diggory.
There is a character, of the same name, in one of Hardy's books.
Try that one.