Illustration of a dark blue songbird in a tree on barren-looking land, but the bird appears to be thinking about blue sky and green tundra

The Darkling Thrush

by Thomas Hardy

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Student Question

Which words does the poet use to depict the bird's strength in the third stanza?

Quick answer:

In the third stanza, the poet uses words like "joy," "illimited," and "full-hearted" to depict the bird's strength. These words emphasize the thrush's intense and infinite joy, which contrasts with the poet's melancholy. The verb "fling" also highlights the dynamic, committed nature of the bird's song, suggesting that despite its small and old appearance, the thrush's strength lies in the powerful expression of its happiness.

Expert Answers

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The strength of the thrush is defined by, and enriched by, its "joy." The intensity of the thrush's joy at existing seems to touch the poet, despite his general air of melancholy; note that the thrush's joy seems to have no end—it is "illimited," infinite. This word is extremely emphatic. Other words showing the strength of the thrush pertain to its song, which is "full-hearted." This description once again suggests that the thrush has committed its entire self to expressing its joy; another word which works in conjunction with this descriptor is the active verb "fling." The bird, in thus "fling[ing]" its soul into its song, is committing a dynamic act. Although the thrush itself is small and old, then, its song, born of its happiness, is intense; the bird has committed to it entirely.

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