Summary:
Thomas Hardy’s During Wind and Rain is a poignant poem reflecting on the passage of time and the inevitable decline of human life. The poem contrasts joyful memories of a family’s past with the harsh reality of mortality and decay. Hardy describes scenes of happiness—children playing, family members working in the garden, and homes full of life—only to remind the reader that these moments are fleeting. Each stanza ends with a reference to destruction, such as falling leaves, eroding tombstones, and the relentless power of nature. The poem’s tone is melancholic, emphasizing the transience of human joy and the inescapability of death.
MCQs:
- Who wrote During Wind and Rain?
a) William Wordsworth
b) Alfred Lord Tennyson
c) Thomas Hardy
d) Robert Frost
Answer: c) Thomas Hardy - What is the main theme of the poem?
a) The power of nature over human achievements
b) The joy of childhood
c) The importance of family unity
d) The role of the seasons in agriculture
Answer: a) The power of nature over human achievements - How does the poem depict the passage of time?
a) As a series of continuous celebrations
b) As a slow and peaceful journey
c) As a cycle of joy followed by inevitable decay
d) As a mystery with no clear direction
Answer: c) As a cycle of joy followed by inevitable decay
During Wind and Rain - Which poetic device is most frequently used in During Wind and Rain?
a) Satire
b) Contrast
c) Allegory
d) Hyperbole
Answer: b) Contrast - What does the recurring image of “falling leaves” symbolize?
a) The arrival of autumn
b) The passage of time and death
c) A change in fortune
d) The happiness of nature
Answer: b) The passage of time and death - How does Hardy portray nature in the poem?
a) As a gentle and caring force
b) As indifferent and destructive
c) As protective and nurturing
d) As a friend to human life
Answer: b) As indifferent and destructive - What contrast does Hardy use throughout the poem?
a) Between war and peace
b) Between youth and old age
c) Between happiness and decay
d) Between love and hatred
Answer: c) Between happiness and decay - What is the tone of During Wind and Rain?
a) Hopeful and uplifting
b) Dark and mysterious
c) Melancholic and reflective
d) Enthusiastic and passionate
Answer: c) Melancholic and reflective - What do the “blanched doorways” in the poem symbolize?
a) The entrance to a new life
b) The decay and fading of the past
c) The purity of youth
d) The resilience of human structures
Answer: b) The decay and fading of the past - What is the ultimate message of During Wind and Rain?
a) Human happiness is eternal
b) Hard work leads to success
c) Life is beautiful but fleeting
d) Death can be avoided through nature
Answer: c) Life is beautiful but fleeting
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | During Wind and Rain |
| Poet | Thomas Hardy |
| Year Published | 1917 |
| Poem Type | Lyrical Poem, Elegy |
| Verse Form | Quatrains (Four-line stanzas) |
| Main Subject | The passage of time and human mortality |
| Themes | Transience of Life, Time, Nature’s Power, Mortality |
| Tone | Melancholic, Reflective, Somber |
| Poetic Devices Used | Contrast, Imagery, Symbolism, Repetition |
| Symbolism | Falling leaves – mortality; Blanched doorways – fading memories |
| Historical Context | Written during World War I, a time of great loss and reflection |
| Main Message | Human joy and achievements are temporary, and time eventually leads to decay and death. |