Putting It All Together

Now reread the poem once again and summarize what you think is happening in the poem.

Image of man's shadow over a brick sidewalk

Source: Wanna Be Cool Shadow Shot, dcdan, Flickr

Tolerance
by Thomas Hardy

“It is a foolish thing,” said I,
“To bear with such, and pass it by;
Yet so I do, I know not why!”

And at each clash I would surmise
That if I had acted otherwise
I might have saved me many sighs.

But now the only happiness
In looking back that I possess—
Whose lack would leave me
comfortless—

Is to remember I refrained
From masteries I might have gained,
And for my tolerance was disdained;

For see, a tomb. And if it were
I had bent and broke, I should not dare
To linger in the shadows there.

Type your summary using your notes. When you’re finished, check your understanding to see a sample response.

Check Your Understanding
Tolerance
by Thomas Hardy

“It is a foolish thing,” said I,
“To bear with such, and pass it by;
Yet so I do, I know not why!”

And at each clash I would surmise
That if I had acted otherwise
I might have saved me many sighs.

But now the only happiness
In looking back that I possess—
Whose lack would leave me
comfortless—

Is to remember I refrained
From masteries I might have gained,
And for my tolerance was disdained;

For see, a tomb. And if it were
I had bent and broke, I should not dare
To linger in the shadows there.

Sample Response:

In this poem, the speaker is looking back on his life and glad that he kept his intolerance in check. Therefore, he can live with himself in the face of eternal judgment. The first stanza may be in quotes because this is what he heard himself saying to other people to excuse his idea of “live and let live.” It would have been easier if he had joined the rabble and persecuted those who were different. But he didn’t and so he is happy in a way that comforts him. The “masteries” were the temptations to be superior and a part of the crowd. He didn't give in to these temptations, and he didn't give in to the persecution that he brought on himself for not joining the power culture. Looking toward the grave, he says if he had joined in this intolerance he couldn’t die with a clear conscience.

 

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