Thomas Hardy Figurative Language

Jude’s inner thoughts are brought to light after a lengthy conversation with Sue. He questions his reasons for being with her and then comes to his conclusion through rationalization in sentences three and five. Hardy’s word choice shows Jude as an intellectual and a man questioning his relationship with Sue. The figurative language and imagery of the excerpt show what Jude thinks of the leader-writer Sue once knew. Hardy’s use of syntax, diction, and imagery depict Jude’s thought process after speaking to Sue and what he should do to fix their relationship.
Hardy starts the quotation with the lone physical action, “looked away”. He had just finished fighting with Sue when she entered his lodging after she ran away from the training school.
Along with word choice, the connotation of the word “comrade” is neutral. The word explains that he wants so dearly to see Sue as nothing more than a friend because she is with Phillotson and Jude cannot control himself. In sentence four, Hardy’s use of the word “epicene,”, meaning having characteristics of no or both sexes reinforces Jude’s idea of seeing Sue as an equal like a man, so he can rationalize his spending time with her. Hardy’s use of three words, “time, creed, or absence,” emphasizes Jude’s desire to stay by Sue. Those words also have a powerful connotation when used together. He states that even though they have different religious views, live in different places, and are getting older, nothing will keep Jude from seeing her. It conjures a strong feeling of devotion to Sue that she cannot hardly reciprocate that passionately. Hardy’s diction of complex and unisex words shows Jude’s thought process and desire to see Sue in only a friendly way.
The imagery by Hardy in the quote, “broken the heart of the poor leader-writer” shows the emotional pain of the man Sue used to know before he died. Hardy uses the word “poor” in an emotional sense with the pairing of “broken the heart” to show that Jude feels sympathy for him. Jude’s lack of experience with women is evident through “She was nearer to him than any other woman he had ever