Identify the language and literary techniques used by the poet (Thomas Hardy in "The Voice") and discuss why these techniques have been used.

Thomas Hardy in his poem 'The Voice' deals with the theme of the consequences of grief and loss. He addresses this theme by means of examining his own feelings at his wife's death, his wish to relive the past, his wish to be reunited with her and his feelings of despair and hopelessness at what life has become for him without her. To convey his theme to the reader, Hardy uses a range of language …

…they first knew each other and were most in love, but he has had to face up to the bleak reality of life without her and the poem ends on a note of suffering and despair with memories providing no comfort. Grief led to the construction of hope. But this 'fair' thought of turning back the clock was but a fancy and individuals have to face up to reality and the inexorable march of time.