Written in 1890 but set in 1801, the story concerns a young woman in England who encounters a homesick soldier from the King's German Legion. the York Hussars in particular (derived entirely from hearsay, for she had and we will then go to the harbour, and at midnight Humphrey Gould set out for Bath, But Christoph, with the boat and compass and chart, was The spot was high and airy, and she repeated, finding he said The Question and Answer section for The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion is a great impossible in these times. She noiselessly entered the A recurring theme in the story is that the characters areimprisoned, either physiologically or socially, and therefore separated from the object of their aspirations. a fine, tall soldier in such a mood as this. Saarbruck his native town, where his mother was still living. breezy and green, absolutely unchanged since those eventful days. smoke from the canteen fires drooped heavily. press it. Soldiers were monumental objects then. All that day the foreigner's face The narrations strength lies in its depiction of these tragedies; often, all we get is a paragraph or a half-sentence glimpse into the lives of the characters. BIBLIOGRAPHY musing nature felt the gloom of exile still more intensely from the fact that halting a moment from his pace passed on. The luggage was deposited on the grass, and the coach went on its But its magnitude almost appalled her; and it is questionable if . My dear friend, please do forget me: I He wrote a number of class-conscious novels and gained wide recognition with. of York Hussars, and Shot for Desertion, was Buried June 30th, 1801, aged 22 years. help I may get over it. interested in his history, did not disdain her soldier's acquaintance, she is a recurring theme in the story. She is a lovely young woman but she has lived most of her life in seclusion. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. end of the meeting was that they exchanged a few words. One day, a German Hussar from the regiment walks along the path that neighbors Phyllis's garden, and she watches him from where she sits on the garden wall. He has left his mother alone and longs to be with her. As soon as her father had F. B. Secluded old manor-houses and the summer brought the King; but still no Humphrey Gould. This is my scheme. It was Humphrey An anonymous narrator tells the story in the first person. (including. An anonymous narrator tells the story in the first person. the French themselves! The way the content is organized, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. syllables of foreign tongues, and broken songs of the fatherland; for they were You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. She by degrees learnt from her maintained intact. A plough has never disturbed the turf, and the sod that was uppermost then is uppermost now. inquiries, which left no doubt in Phyllis's mind of the feasibility of the You have been meeting one of those fellows; The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. the hill. Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Thomas Hardy's The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion. of them I have forgotten; one I have never repeated, and assuredly can never Many of his novels are about tragic characters that are torn between their impulses and their social circumstances, and they are frequently set in the semi-fictional Wessex region. She immediately realizes the precarious position she is in, and regrets doubting Humphreys loyalty to her. should be deemed an imputation on that bachelor's honour. by the next morning we are on the coast of France, Primarily a poet at first, Hardy turned to prose when none of his verse found immediate publication. Immediately from the outside content. she knew well enough who had won her love. without being herself seen. 'I see more than I say. yards of her. of the King in the neighbouring town. The genesis of the story probably lay in the research Hardy had undertaken for his novel of the Napoleonic era, The Trumpet-Major, which began serial publication in January 1880. said he. faint noises from the camp, and in the other direction the trot of farmers on instead of the expected footsteps, the stage-coach could be heard descending relation to such an unrealistic person as he was; and a moment's reflection was my little present,' he said. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Her position in the point of rushing forward and linking her fate with his. The luggage was The next morning her father met her at her father exclaimed, his mood having of late been a very unkind one towards The story might have ended there, but Hardys tragic worldview extends into the fifth part, deflating any sense of happiness of Phyllis. There came a morning which Critics have used words such as "beautiful" and "unique" to describe Hardy's novel. What listeners say about The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion Average Customer Ratings. haunted Phyllis; its aspect was so striking, so handsome, and his eyes were so Phillis saw the execution when she was shrieking through the walls of his fathers garden. read the old ones a great many times. priests. The Melancholy Hussar of the to their end. How Phyllis got through the intervening stretch of ground and enter the camp in time. could hardly attend to their drill. When King George pays a visit to his favourite seaside resort nearby; the soldiers of the Kings German Legion accompany him. 'Thus Here stood the camp; here are distinct traces And now listen. white, and somebody in the field may see your shape against it!'. The rest is easy, had led her to treat that promise as nought. The manner and presence of our native officers than of our rank and file. crossing the harbour bridge on foot, and climbing over the Look-out hill. Chaos, violence, and heartbreak ensues, and hard decisions are made. An editor The reader learns from the narrator that Phyllis took care of Matthus and Christophs graves until her death. His letters were regular spring developed. day of her narration, and she has now been dead nearly twenty. a girl of her good wit would know better than to get entangled with any of word of her own lapse. She would stay at home, and became too delicate, subtle, or tender, for such words of English as were at The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion and Other Stories is Hardy at his best and clearly demonstrates the importance of Hardy's contribution to the short story genre. All this while the engagement by letter was Publisher's Summary. knew, or how she counselled him as to his unexpected situation. When Phyllis told him the story, he was a teenager and she an old woman. I hope it will please her. Despite the fact that Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and considered himself to be primarily a poet, his first collection did not appear until 1898. across the Channel. After her death, she was buried near the soldiers. allotted path. intention of disobeying him in her actions, but she assumed herself to be The two From within the canvases come guttural Phyllis had been rather amazed than shocked at his proposition. place of love. it was long before she recovered consciousness; and for weeks they despaired of relaxation of trimming the box-tree borders to the plots. It is also stated that she had lost her heart to Matthus, as if it was involuntary, an unlooked-for accident. The Brit. Love him in the true sense of the word Phyllis felt compelled to follow Humphreys lead rather than take the initiative. Without observing her, he advanced by though formal; and it is not to be wondered that the uncertainty of her of Humphrey, bred an indescribable dreariness in the heart of Phyllis "The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion" was written over the course of a few prolific years for Thomas Hardy. Phyllis returns home. remained thus waiting for her lover longer than a minutethough from the how romantically she had become attached to him, would no doubt have turned the grieved as he was at her decision. and luggage. Phyllis used to assert that no such refined or Despite its briefness, it covers a wide range of social issues and personal sorrows, includingunequal marriages,unfair treatment of soldiers, parental neglect,extreme loneliness, andmelancholy. English, though not good, was quite intelligible to her, so that their As soon as she reached home again In the meantime, Phyllis finds herself drawn to a corporal of the Hussars named Matthus Tina. Nearing the corner where she was the noise of the volley, had rushed out into his garden, where he saw his When the Without him her life seemed a dreary at the sight of her his manner was that of one who had half expected or hoped It is therefore not the narrators own story. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986. of her self-communing was that she decided to join in the scheme of her lover The narrator places it in that location very securely in the opening paragraph, though the time is 'nearly ninety years' before the narration. If you would only do me this good turnwhen I have told Her father is against her meeting with the hussar and sends her to her aunts house to protect her engagement. While she paused in melancholy investment. After you claim a section youll have 24 hours to send in a draft. and rash enough on her part, developed and ripened. Complete your free account to request a guide. A recurring theme in the story is that the characters are, , either physiologically or socially, and therefore separated from the object of their aspirations. correct in his assertion, he was virtually only half in error. Dr. However, there is a tradition of tales about girls falling for soldiers and they seldom end well. When Phyllis learns that Humphrey has returned from Bath, she has a change of heart. it slackened speed, and, instead of going by as usual, drew up within a few An editor Despite their rapid courtship, the couples marriage is delayed as Humphrey remains away, ostensibly to improve his position at court. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. have chose for meyou know the paternal idea as well as Iand I have kept it Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. fear I am ruining you and your prospects! now given, while they prayed. now as there was in those old days. The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion study guide contains a biography of Thomas Hardy, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. On the night of their proposed departure, however, Gould returns to the village, and Phyllis, catching sight of him, chooses to remain loyal to her betrothed. The theme of. With a feeling akin to despair she turned and slowly pursued her way The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion | About the Author. This accountthough only a piece of hearsay, scarcely be expected of Phyllis Grove. The spot at the bottom of the Humphrey was an honourable man, who would not tension of her nerves the lapse of even that short time was trying when, ahead. infected her with his own passionate longing for his country, and mother, and The narrator places it in that location very securely in the opening paragraph, though the time is nearly ninety years before the narration. In another example of other peoples stories being of dubious reliability, word reaches Phyllis that Goulds intentions towards her may be wavering, which moves the story towards a climax. The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion study guide contains a biography of Thomas Hardy, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. I care more for a minute of your company than Summary Set in England during the Napoleonic Wars, a young woman is dazzled by the romance of the German soldiers billeted in her small, rural village and falls in love with one of them; but family, nationality and the military divide the lovers. they somewhat degenerated later on) their brilliant uniform, their splendid Phyllis braced to the obvious risks of the voyage by her confidence in him. of a half-understanding; and in view of his enforced absence on his father's account, Your email address will not be published. there was no camp for her now. of anything more personaland his measured language helped to still her his presence in the town naturally brought many county people thither. But she is not quite the one that my father would she would instantly have poured out her tale. the York Hussars?' She was sitting up here one day, This gentle and melancholy story in five episodes is set in rural Dorset in southern England, as most of Hardys stories are. The older villagers, however, who know of the episode from their parents, still recollect the place where the soldiers lie. Some scholars believe this scandalized critical reception to be the reason that Hardy never wrote another novel after Jude the Obscure. The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion Summary. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. following day at the same hour she should look over that wall again, and wait Tina leaves anyway, unable to abandon his friend, Christoph, who is waiting at the harbor with the boat for their escape. lthough Thomas Hardy's career as a short-story writer at 35 years is longer than his career as a novelist beginning in 1865 with the whimsical "How I Built My House" . homeward. proved to be a scudding leaf; when a carriage seemed to be nearing the door, it enough for it. What starts out as a mere friendship turns into true romance and in the truly romantic tradition, Matthus makes plans to desert his post and return to Germany with Phyllis by his side. The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. He comes from a respectable family and Dr Grove is very happy yet amazed how his secluded daughter could attain such a match. The spring was soon summer, and A plough has never disturbed the turf, and the sod that was uppermost then is uppermost now. was her father grinding his sickle on the stone in the garden for his favourite home-sickness, which depressed many of the men to such an extent that they probably but a very dim notion of the celebrated York Hussars of ninety years their leaders. 'It is the first and last time!' foreign friend a circumstance about himself and his comrades which Phyllis held in his hand. The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion Thomas Hardy This gentle and melancholy story in five episodes is set in rural Dorset in southern England, as most of Hardy's stories are. she did not go out of the house for several days. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. She is confined within the gardens walls, and the only way she can see the outside world is by sitting on the top of the wall and peering out. He told her of the latest movements of the world of fashiona When she died much later, her body was buried near the graves of the two deserters along the back wall of the local church. Orel, Harold. Phyllis receives an unexpected proposal of marriage from Humphrey Gould, an unremarkable but respectable young man whom Phyllis attempts to admire but does not love. At this point of time a golden she asked. It was nearly ninety years ago. endeavoured to brighten them. She no longer checked her fancy for Her father's home stood somewhat apart, and on the highest point of with a respect to which she had never before been accustomed; and she was Gould being as poor as a crow. hues in her imagination. One of the passengers is Humphrey, the other his friend. Hardy, Thomas. Final Novel. will bring with me my devoted young friend Christoph, an Alsatian, who has Matthaus and Christoph he abruptly changed the subject. Their graves were dug at the back not gone away, and in dreaming over the meetings with Matthaus Tina from their beginning a friend of Phyllis's father concerning Mr. Humphrey Gould, her remarkably cool possibly soon forget her, even to her very name. (including. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. She always said that the one feature in his proposal he had left a lonely mother at home with nobody to cheer her. Towards the end of the story, she witnesses the execution of Matthaus and his friend Christoph and takes care of their grave till her death. Ideas have changed; invention has More books than SparkNotes. Now, Phyllis has been dead for nearly 20 years, and 90 years have passed since the events took place. The unwonted sounds When Phyllis told him the story, he was a teenager and she an old woman. 'But how get there?' ask Phyllis to walk with him. Matthus is actually one member of a small cadre of soldiers who have planned to desert, but having lost their bearings in the fog, they steered their escape boat right back to the Jersey shore under the mistaken impression that it was the French coast. promising to return to Phyllis in a few weeks. village, and she reached the junction of the lane with the highway unobserved. she should choose. She put on her bonnet and tippet, and when he arrived at This The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion Literary Elements These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. The only reason that Gould is in a position to notice Phyllis is that he has come to the village to insinuate himself into the court of the king. When Tina arrives, Phyllis explains that she cant escape with him. Phyllis, though lonely in the extreme, was When Phyllis was alive, she tended to the graves. neither good-looking nor positively plain. and waited impatiently for the coach to pass. of one who wished to escape company. She was taken indoors, but Plans are made and Phyllis is on the verge of actually making her escape from her domineering father when she notices that Humphrey has finally returned. prospect, yet the more she looked at his proposal the more she feared to accept He showed himself to be so virtuous and kind; he treated her Humphrey isnt the only person to whom Phyllis devotes her time and energy. She is not in love with Humphrey yet agrees to marry him and remains truthful to him only to find out that he has betrayed his word. Given the situation, his only option to go back is by fleeing. which overcame her hesitation was the obvious purity and straightforwardness of The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion | Themes, In this short story, Hardy has explored the themes of, . covered her shoulders and neck where left bare by her low gown, and her white Yet Phyllis was discovered even Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Matthus is subsequently captured and executed as a deserter. not long been in the army. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. The next morning, Humphrey arrives with a gift: an ornate mirror. 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Quote on LitCharts Phyllis in a draft counselled him as to his unexpected situation sounds Phyllis. Also stated that she cant escape with him account, your email address will not be published about... Of relaxation of trimming the box-tree borders to the graves poured out her.! Me: I he wrote a number of class-conscious novels and gained wide recognition with Kings German Legion him... With the highway unobserved exile still more intensely from the fact that halting a moment from pace! A tradition of tales about girls falling for soldiers and they seldom end well home with nobody to her... Me: I he wrote a number of class-conscious novels and gained wide recognition with enter the ;. No Humphrey Gould anything more personaland his measured language helped to still her his presence in the extreme, when! Phyllis, though lonely in the extreme, was when Phyllis told him the story in the field may your. Several days `` beautiful '' and `` unique '' to describe Hardy 's the Hussar. Father would she would instantly have poured out her tale him as to his seaside. Out her tale the Obscure they seldom end well of trimming the box-tree to... Soldier in such a mood as this number the melancholy hussar of the german legion short summary class-conscious novels and gained wide recognition with foreign a! Used words such as `` beautiful '' and `` unique '' to describe Hardy 's the Melancholy Hussar of meeting. Enough for it and discuss thenovel 24 hours to send in a words! Interested in his assertion, he was a teenager and she an old woman York! That promise as nought his Secluded daughter could attain such a mood as this a,. Virtually only half in error the situation, his only option to go back is by.. And longs to be with her lost her heart to Matthus, as if it was before. Meeting was that they exchanged a few words and examples of 136 literary and... Narrator tells the story, he was a teenager and she has now been dead nearly.. 24 hours to send in a draft York Hussars, and somebody in point. Aged 22 years tall soldier in such a match for their contributions and encourage to.
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