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Year 10
AQA

Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

I can explain how Hardy conveys the speaker's feelings about the breakdown of their relationship.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

I can explain how Hardy conveys the speaker's feelings about the breakdown of their relationship.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Hardy recalls a devastating moment of separation in a romantic relationship.
  2. The desolate setting reflects the speakers despairing and hopeless emotions.
  3. The speaker's love for the subject seems to have been unrequited at the end of their relationship.
  4. At the end of the poem the speaker shifts to the present tense to reflect the enduring impact of the separation.
  5. The poem could reflect Hardy's unconventional and pessimistic view of romantic love.

Common misconception

The poem is set by a pond where a couple are walking.

The poem is set in the present day (for the speaker) and the speaker is looking back on the memory of walking around a pond with their ex-partner.

Keywords

  • Desolate - barren, deserted, devoid of life or hope

  • Hopeless - despairing, lacking optimism or positive expectations

  • Unrequited - unanswered, not reciprocated or one-sided

  • Quatrain - a four-line stanza in a poem

  • Melancholic - something or someone characterised by a deep sadness within

When discussing the ABBA rhyme scheme with students, encourage them to use two different colours to colour-code the 'A' and 'B' rhymes. This will make it easier for them to see the shape of the rhyming pattern across the poem. It may helpful to use a visualiser to model this for SEND students.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to the poem 'Neutral Tones' by Thomas Hardy. This can be found in the AQA Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do we mean when we refer to the context of a poem?
an alternative version of a poem
the reasons the poet gives for writing the poem
Correct answer: the background information we know about the poet that may have inspired them
the key words in a poem
the poet's message or key themes
Q2.
What are rhyming words?
words that start with the same sound
Correct answer: words that end with the same sound
words that are spelt the same but sound different
words that are spelt differently but sound the same
words with multiple meanings
Q3.
Which of these is the correct spelling?
Correct answer: simile
similee
similie
simille
similey
Q4.
Which two words are adjectives?
Correct answer: tedious
love
day
Correct answer: grey
riddles
Q5.
Which of these is an ellipsis?
!
-
Correct answer: ...
:
@
Q6.
Which of these sentences uses tentative language?
The writer obviously used a simile to show the man was brave
The use of alliteration makes the poem more interesting
Correct answer: Arguably, the writer's use of a metaphor implies the man is dangerous

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What rhyme scheme does Hardy use in 'Neutral Tones'?
Correct Answer: ABBA, abba, a b b a , a,b,b,a, a, b, b, a
Q2.
The tone of Hardy's poetry has often been characterised as .
Correct answer: hopeless and pessimistic
optimistic and uplifting
angry and tense
morbid and tedious
romantic and joyous
Q3.
What is a quatrain?
a stanza with 2 lines
a stanza with 3 lines
Correct answer: a stanza with 4 lines
a stanza with 5 lines
a stanza with 6 lines
Q4.
Starting with the first, put the events of 'Neutral Tones' in chronological order.
1 - The speaker sets the scene and describes a desolate landscape
2 - The partner's looks remind the speaker of the many arguments they've had
3 - The partner's smile indicates they've fallen out of love with the speaker
4 - The poem shifts forward in time and the memory still haunts the speaker
Q5.
Match up each stanza summary from 'Neutral Tones' to a relevant piece of supporting evidence.
Correct Answer:The speaker sets the scene,"We stood by the pond that winter day, / And the sun was white"

"We stood by the pond that winter day, / And the sun was white"

Correct Answer:The couple argued a lot in the past,"Eyes that rove / Over tedious riddles of years ago"

"Eyes that rove / Over tedious riddles of years ago"

Correct Answer:The partner no longer loves the speaker,"The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing"

"The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing"

Correct Answer:The speaker has lost faith in love,"Since then, keen lessons that loves deceives"

"Since then, keen lessons that loves deceives"

Q6.
The last line of each stanza is which slows down the pace and creates a melancholic tone.
Correct Answer: indented, INDENTED, iNDENTED, Indented

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