The Oxen, Thomas Hardy: Poem, Analysis & Themes

The Oxen is a reflective and nostalgic poem written by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1915. The poem captures the wistful longing for the innocence and faith of childhood, set against the backdrop of a traditional Christmas Eve tale. Hardy uses the imagery of kneeling oxen to explore themes of belief, doubt, and the passage of time. It begins with a cozy scene by the hearth and progresses into a poignant meditation on faith, hope, and the comfort of old stories. The poem resonates with Hardy’s characteristic exploration of human emotions and the complexities of belief.

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Poem: "The Oxen" by Thomas Hardy

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,

“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

Analysis of "The Oxen" by Thomas Hardy

Introduction to the Poem

Thomas Hardy’s "The Oxen" delves into the reflective and nostalgic mood of Christmas Eve, presenting a tender meditation on childhood faith and adult skepticism. Written during World War I, the poem resonates with themes of innocence lost and the yearning for comfort in familiar traditions.

The narrative is set by the hearth, where an elder recounts the story of oxen kneeling at the hour of Christ’s birth. This tradition is rooted in folklore and Christian symbolism, where the oxen are said to honor the sacred moment. Hardy weaves this story into a poignant exploration of belief and hope.

Structure and Tone

The poem is divided into four quatrains, each following a regular ABAB rhyme scheme. The steady rhythm mirrors the predictability and comfort of childhood traditions. Hardy’s use of iambic tetrameter further enhances the lyrical and meditative quality of the poem.

Hardy’s tone is a blend of wistfulness and introspection. The warmth of the hearthside setting in the first quatrain contrasts with the darker, more uncertain mood of the final lines. This tonal shift reflects the transition from the innocence of childhood to the questioning nature of adulthood.

Imagery and Symbolism

The imagery of the "embers in hearthside ease" creates a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere, drawing readers into the intimate setting of storytelling. The oxen, described as "meek mild creatures," symbolize humility and devotion, aligning with the Christian values associated with the nativity story.

The "strawy pen" where the oxen reside evokes a pastoral simplicity, grounding the miraculous story in a tangible, relatable setting. This contrasts with the "gloom" of the final stanza, symbolizing the speaker’s internal conflict and the uncertainty of belief in adulthood.

Emotional Conflict

The poem’s emotional core lies in the speaker’s longing to believe in the story of the kneeling oxen, even as they recognize the improbability of such a miracle in the modern world. This tension between faith and doubt is universal, reflecting the human desire for comfort and meaning in the face of skepticism.

The speaker’s willingness to "go with him in the gloom" reflects their deep yearning for hope and the possibility of recapturing the innocence of childhood belief. This hope, however tenuous, underscores the enduring power of tradition and storytelling.

Conclusion

In "The Oxen", Hardy masterfully balances nostalgia with introspection, creating a timeless meditation on faith, memory, and human longing. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the ways in which childhood experiences shape their understanding of the world, making it a deeply resonant and thought-provoking work.

Themes in "The Oxen"

Faith and Doubt

The tension between belief and skepticism is the central theme of the poem. As children, the speaker and their peers accept the story of the kneeling oxen without question, embodying the innocence and simplicity of childhood faith. In adulthood, however, this faith is tempered by doubt, reflecting the complexities of modern, rational thought.

Despite their skepticism, the speaker expresses a deep yearning to believe in the miraculous, highlighting the human need for hope and meaning. This duality captures the fragile and often contradictory nature of faith in a world that values reason over tradition.

Nostalgia

Nostalgia is another prominent theme in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the warmth and simplicity of childhood traditions. The hearthside setting and the retelling of the elder’s story evoke a sense of comfort and community, contrasting with the isolation and uncertainty of the speaker’s adult perspective.

Hardy’s exploration of nostalgia is tinged with melancholy, as the speaker acknowledges the loss of innocence and the difficulty of recapturing the sense of wonder and belief that defined their youth.

Tradition and Hope

The poem emphasizes the enduring power of tradition to inspire hope and provide solace. The story of the kneeling oxen, though rooted in folklore, serves as a metaphor for the human desire to find meaning and connection in shared rituals and beliefs.

Even as the speaker doubts the literal truth of the story, they are drawn to its symbolic significance, reflecting a universal longing for comfort and reassurance in a world often defined by uncertainty.

Conclusion

"The Oxen" explores the complexities of faith, memory, and tradition through its themes of nostalgia, doubt, and hope. Hardy invites readers to reflect on the ways in which childhood beliefs shape our understanding of the world and the enduring need for stories and rituals that connect us to something greater than ourselves.

Sound Devices in "The Oxen"

Alliteration

Hardy employs alliteration to enhance the poem’s musicality and draw attention to key phrases. For example, "meek mild creatures" emphasizes the humility of the oxen, while "strawy pen" evokes a rustic and pastoral setting. These repeated consonant sounds create a sense of rhythm and harmony that aligns with the reflective tone of the poem.

Assonance and Consonance

Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, is used to create a melodious and contemplative quality. In lines like "lonely barton by yonder coomb," the repeated "o" sound adds a mournful and reflective tone, mirroring the speaker’s internal conflict.

Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, appears in phrases such as "gloom" and "coomb," reinforcing the poem’s melancholic atmosphere.

Rhyme Scheme

The regular ABAB rhyme scheme provides a sense of order and stability, mirroring the structured traditions and rituals of Christmas. This consistent pattern contrasts with the underlying tension between faith and doubt, highlighting the complexity of the speaker’s emotions.

Repetition

The repetition of the word "kneeling" emphasizes the central image of the oxen and its symbolic significance. This repetition underscores the speaker’s longing to believe in the miraculous, even as they grapple with doubt.

Meter

The poem’s iambic tetrameter creates a steady and measured rhythm, aligning with the contemplative pace of the speaker’s thoughts. This regular meter contributes to the soothing and reflective mood of the poem, drawing readers into its meditative tone.

Conclusion

Through its masterful use of sound devices, "The Oxen" achieves a lyrical and emotionally resonant quality. Hardy’s careful attention to alliteration, assonance, consonance, rhyme, and meter enhances the poem’s reflective tone, inviting readers to engage deeply with its themes of faith, doubt, and nostalgia.