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View Full Version : Thomas Hardy and "The Oxen".



BurnTheOliveTree
28th January 2008, 18:58
So I've studied this poem in my English literature class, and I really connected with it and enjoyed it. However, it's implicit message seems to be one of yearning for ignorance and childhood fantasy. This is totally at odds with what I thought were my ideals, knowledge and progress... What do you guys think of it?



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.


-Alex