Summary:
Thomas Hardy’s poem The Voice is a melancholic reflection on loss and longing, believed to be inspired by the death of his first wife, Emma. The speaker hears a voice, possibly that of his deceased wife, calling out to him, bringing back memories of happier times. The poem explores themes of grief, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of love. The speaker struggles with the reality of her absence, uncertain whether the voice he hears is real or a figment of his imagination. Hardy uses vivid imagery, rhythm, and repetition to convey the speaker’s deep sorrow and emotional turmoil, highlighting how grief blurs the line between reality and illusion.
MCQs:
- Who wrote The Voice?
a) T.S. Eliot
b) Thomas Hardy
c) Robert Browning
d) William Blake
Answer: b) Thomas Hardy - What is the main theme of The Voice?
a) Joy and celebration
b) Loss and longing
c) Adventure and discovery
d) Betrayal and revenge
Answer: b) Loss and longing - Who is the “voice” in the poem likely referring to?
a) The speaker’s lost youth
b) The speaker’s deceased wife
c) A friend from childhood
d) A stranger calling out
Answer: b) The speaker’s deceased wife
The Voice - How does the speaker feel in the poem?
a) Hopeful and excited
b) Confident and determined
c) Grief-stricken and nostalgic
d) Indifferent and uninterested
Answer: c) Grief-stricken and nostalgic - What literary device is used in the phrase “call to me, call to me”?
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Repetition
d) Irony
Answer: c) Repetition - What is the effect of the repetition in the poem?
a) It creates a sense of urgency and intensity
b) It makes the poem more cheerful
c) It reduces the impact of emotions
d) It emphasizes confusion and randomness
Answer: a) It creates a sense of urgency and intensity - What is the setting of the poem?
a) A busy city street
b) A countryside landscape
c) A dark, enclosed room
d) A marketplace full of people
Answer: b) A countryside landscape - What does the speaker recall about the woman in the past?
a) Her laughter and joy
b) Her strong and determined nature
c) Her beauty and youthful grace
d) Her anger and resentment
Answer: c) Her beauty and youthful grace - What does the speaker question about the voice?
a) Whether it belongs to a ghost
b) Whether he is imagining it
c) Whether it is coming from another person
d) Whether it means good luck
Answer: b) Whether he is imagining it - What is the tone of The Voice?
a) Happy and lively
b) Sorrowful and haunting
c) Humorous and sarcastic
d) Angry and bitter
Answer: b) Sorrowful and haunting - Which poetic technique does Hardy use to emphasize the ghostly nature of the voice?
a) Alliteration and rhythm
b) Satire and irony
c) Symbolism and metaphors
d) Dialogue and direct speech
Answer: a) Alliteration and rhythm - How does the poem end?
a) With the speaker embracing his wife
b) With the speaker realizing she is truly gone
c) With the speaker finding a new love
d) With the speaker calling back to the voice
Answer: b) With the speaker realizing she is truly gone
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Voice |
| Poet | Thomas Hardy |
| Year Published | 1912 |
| Poem Type | Lyric poem |
| Verse Form | Regular rhythm and repetition |
| Main Subject | Grief, memory, and longing |
| Themes | Love, Loss, Ghostly Presence, Nostalgia |
| Tone | Melancholic, Haunting, Reflective |
| Poetic Devices Used | Repetition, Imagery, Alliteration |
| Symbolism | The “voice” symbolizes memory and longing |
| Historical Context | Inspired by Hardy’s grief after the death of his wife, Emma |
| Main Message | The past lingers in memories, and love lost continues to haunt the heart. |