Hardy's lofty speculation and attitude towards his death and nature are the central themes of the poem. As the poet's death inevitably approach, the poem is structured around the eternal questions as to, how he would be remembered among the people, and the "mysterious" bond between human and nature. In the text, it is remarkably paradoxical that, the serene images of nature convey the ideas of death and the transitory nature of life. This contrasting irony also has the effect of emphasizing the fragility and brevity of human being's life. In overall, the poem evokes the proposal that we ou…
