Read the poem in which Thomas Hardy contemplates what others may say of him upon his death. Then answer the question. Afterwards By Thomas Hardy
When the Present has latched its postern behind my tremulous stay,
And the May month flaps its glad green leaves like wings,
Delicate-filmed as new-spun silk, will the neighbours say,
'He was a man who used to notice such things'?
If it be in the dusk when, like an eyelid's soundless blink,
The dewfall-hawk comes crossing the shades to alight
Upon the wind-warped upland thorn, a gazer may think,
'To him this must have been a familiar sight.'
If I pass during some nocturnal blackness, mothy and warm,
When the hedgehog travels furtively over the lawn,
One may say, 'He strove that such innocent creatures should come to no harm,
But he could do little for them; and now he is gone.'
If, when hearing that I have been stilled at last, they stand at the door,
Watching the full-starred heavens that winter sees
Will this thought rise on those who will meet my face no more,
'He was one who had an eye for such mysteries'?
And will any say when my bell of quittance is heard in the gloom
And a crossing breeze cuts a pause in its outrollings,
Till they rise again, as they were a new bell's boom,
'He hears it not now, but used to notice such things'?
In the poem “Afterwards,” Hardy uses figurative language, including euphemism, to develop meaning and tone. What is the meaning of the figurative language used in the poem? How does the use of euphemism when addressing the idea of death affect the meaning? In your response, identify and interpret the use of euphemism and other figurative language; then explain its impact on the meaning and tone of the poem. Use evidence from the text to support your response. Your response should be two to three complete paragraphs. Each paragraph should be at least 5 sentences long.