Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy
I can explain how Hardy conveys the speaker's feelings about the breakdown of their relationship.
Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy
I can explain how Hardy conveys the speaker's feelings about the breakdown of their relationship.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hardy recalls a devastating moment of separation in a romantic relationship.
- The desolate setting reflects the speakers despairing and hopeless emotions.
- The speaker's love for the subject seems to have been unrequited at the end of their relationship.
- At the end of the poem the speaker shifts to the present tense to reflect the enduring impact of the separation.
- The poem could reflect Hardy's unconventional and pessimistic view of romantic love.
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
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.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the 'Love and Relationships' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
"We stood by the pond that winter day, / And the sun was white"
"Eyes that rove / Over tedious riddles of years ago"
"The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing"
"Since then, keen lessons that loves deceives"