Summary:
Thomas Hardy’s poem A Broken Appointment expresses the speaker’s disappointment and emotional pain after being stood up by a loved one. The poem reflects on unfulfilled expectations in love, where the speaker had hoped for a meeting that never happened. The absence of the beloved highlights the theme of unrequited love, showing that even though the speaker understands that love cannot be forced, the pain of rejection remains. The poem uses a melancholic tone and rhythmic structure to emphasize the sorrow and inevitability of heartache. Hardy explores the emotional struggle of waiting in vain and the realization that love, when not reciprocated, leads to deep sorrow.
MCQs:
- Who wrote A Broken Appointment?
a) T.S. Eliot
b) Thomas Hardy
c) Robert Frost
d) William Wordsworth
Answer: b) Thomas Hardy - What is the main theme of the poem?
a) War and destruction
b) The unpredictability of nature
c) Unfulfilled love and disappointment
d) The beauty of companionship
Answer: c) Unfulfilled love and disappointment - What happens in the poem?
a) The speaker meets his beloved and confesses love
b) The speaker’s beloved does not show up for a meeting
c) The speaker celebrates love and happiness
d) The speaker finds a new love interest
Answer: b) The speaker’s beloved does not show up for a meeting
A Broken Appointment - How does the speaker feel in the poem?
a) Angry and aggressive
b) Joyful and optimistic
c) Disappointed and heartbroken
d) Confused and indifferent
Answer: c) Disappointed and heartbroken - What does the phrase “You did not come” emphasize?
a) The speaker’s frustration
b) The speaker’s realization of being abandoned
c) The speaker’s joy in solitude
d) The excitement of meeting again
Answer: b) The speaker’s realization of being abandoned - What literary device is used in the poem to highlight emotional pain?
a) Hyperbole
b) Repetition
c) Satire
d) Allusion
Answer: b) Repetition - What does the speaker acknowledge about love?
a) It cannot be forced
b) It is always fair and equal
c) It is never painful
d) It guarantees happiness
Answer: a) It cannot be forced - What is the tone of A Broken Appointment?
a) Sarcastic and humorous
b) Hopeful and cheerful
c) Melancholic and regretful
d) Aggressive and bitter
Answer: c) Melancholic and regretful - What kind of relationship does the poem portray?
a) A strong and loving relationship
b) A friendship filled with joy
c) A one-sided love and unfulfilled expectations
d) A story of betrayal and revenge
Answer: c) A one-sided love and unfulfilled expectations - What is the ultimate message of the poem?
a) True love always wins
b) Life is full of unexpected happiness
c) Love is painful when not reciprocated
d) Waiting for someone is always worthwhile
Answer: c) Love is painful when not reciprocated
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | A Broken Appointment |
| Poet | Thomas Hardy |
| Year Published | 1901 |
| Poem Type | Lyric poem |
| Verse Form | Two stanzas with regular rhythm |
| Main Subject | Love, rejection, and disappointment |
| Themes | Unrequited Love, Heartbreak, Emotional Pain |
| Tone | Melancholic, Regretful, Somber |
| Poetic Devices Used | Repetition, Imagery, Alliteration |
| Symbolism | The missed appointment – broken promises in love |
| Historical Context | Thought to be inspired by Hardy’s own love life, particularly his relationship with Florence Dugdale |
| Main Message | Love, when not reciprocated, leads to sorrow and disappointment. |