Analysing Hardy's presentation of the consequences of war in 'A Wife in London'

Hardy uses figurative language in Stanza one to create a foreboding atmosphere and foreshadow the devastating news. Hardy uses pathetic fallacy and symbolism across the poem to reflect the wife’s isolation, confusion and loneliness. The use of third person perspective creates a detached tone and gives the poem universality. The poem’s consistent and therefore predictable rhyme scheme reflects the inevitability of loss in war. Hardy uses punctuation to convey the wife’s shock as she struggles to process the devastating news.