Understanding Thomas Hardy's Poems and Their Titles

This question asks about the original title of a specific poem by the famous English writer, Thomas Hardy. Hardy is well-known for his novels and poetry, often exploring themes of nature, fate, and the changing world, particularly around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century.

We are given four options, each a poem by Thomas Hardy, and we need to identify which one was initially titled "By the Century's Deathbed".

Analysing the Options

Let's look at the poems listed in the options:

• The Minute Before Meeting: This poem deals with anticipation before a meeting. Its title reflects this moment.
• Neutral Tones: This poem describes a memory of a strained relationship in a bleak setting. Its title suggests a lack of vivid emotion or colour.
• The Darkling Thrush: This poem was written on 31 December 1900, at the very end of the 19th century. It reflects on the bleakness of the time but finds a glimmer of hope in the song of a thrush. The title refers to a thrush singing in the gloom or darkness.
• The Oxen: This poem is a nostalgic reflection on the Christmas Eve legend that oxen kneel down at midnight.

Identifying the Poem "By the Century's Deathbed"

The phrase "By the Century's Deathbed" strongly suggests a poem written as one century is ending and another is beginning. Given that Thomas Hardy wrote extensively around this period, this title likely refers to a poem capturing the mood of this transition.

Historical information about Thomas Hardy's poems confirms that The Darkling Thrush was originally published with the title "By the Century's Deathbed". It appeared in the sphere on 5 January 1901, though it was written on the last day of 1900. The original title perfectly captures the moment of transition from the 19th to the 20th century, which the poem marks.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the title's meaning and historical facts about Thomas Hardy's works, the poem originally titled "By the Century's Deathbed" is The Darkling Thrush.

The final answer is $\boxed{\text{The Darkling Thrush}}$.

Revision Table: Thomas Hardy Poems

Additional Information: Thomas Hardy's Poetry Context

Thomas Hardy's poetry, much like his novels, often explores themes of change, loss, and the human condition against the backdrop of rural life and the natural world. "The Darkling Thrush" is a significant poem that marks the transition into a new century, reflecting a sense of weariness and disillusionment characteristic of the late Victorian era, while also contemplating the possibility of future hope, however faint, symbolised by the thrush's song. Knowing the original title, "By the Century's Deathbed," deepens the understanding of the poem's historical and thematic context, highlighting its role as an elegy for the passing century and a hesitant look towards the future.