Regret in E.Thomas' Poems

This essay hasn't yet been marked by one of our teachers

You can view all our essays on Miscellaneous that have been Marked by Teachers

The first 200 words of this essay...

Considering in detail one or two poems, discuss ways in which Thomas explores feelings of regret in his poetry.

(And you, Helen)

'And You, Helen' was written a while after Edward Thomas' enlistment. It is in this somewhat unusual love poem that Thomas resigns to the fact that he has not been good to his wife, Helen. He admits that the pursuit of himself- his own ideal, has compromised his love for her. The poem deals with his own regret and the fact that, in his own selfish pursuit, he has jeopardised the happiness of their marriage. Written in free verse with Rhyming couplets, the poem is steady and thoughtful. He is reserved and calm in his acknowledgment that she has given up her youth, beauty and power for him.

The poem opens with Thomas' admittance that, if he could, he would do anything for Helen to make up for what he has done, the poet makes reference to a 'great store' and the poem itself is written as a list of the things that Thomas would give her if he could. Thomas lists '...youth, All kinds of loveliness and truth,' this reveals that