Imagery and metaphors

The poem “After a Journey” by Thomas Hardy abounds in imagery, metaphors and other stylistic devices.

Similes and comparisons

One important simile is present in the final stanza of the poem. There, the poet presents his image as a young man:

“I am just the same as when
Our days were a joy, and our paths through flowers.” (ll. 31-32)

Imagery

Many adjectives are employed in order to create imagery. In the first stanza, for example, adjectives help the poet create the portrait of his wife as a young, beautiful woman. The colours suggest youth, freshness and vitality:

“With your nut-coloured hair,
And gray eyes, and rose-flush coming and going.” (ll. 7-8)

Other adjectives help create the image of the lanscape visited by the couple both in their youth an...