A Memory of White

“On the Departure Platform” by Thomas Hardy describes the parting of the speaker and his lover through imagery and impressions.  There is no physical reference to the speaker’s lover, no mention of her beauty.  However, he does mention that as she moved further away, “She was but a spot/ A wee white spot of muslin fluff/ That down the diminishing platform bore,” (lines 4-6).  As her carriage moves further and further away, he speaks of her form as, “that nebulous white,” (line 14).  Later in the poem the speaker says that, “in season she will appear again/ Perhaps in the same soft white array,” (lines 18-19).  White is commonly used to signify purity.  Perhaps the speaker is referencing his lover’s pure nature, which he has come to value.  So when she leaves, that is his lasting impression of her.  White could also be meant as a reference their pure love.  Despite distance, the speaker says that, “We have penned new plans since that fair fond day,” (line 17).  This line also indicates that the white imagery may also be meant to describe the purity of the memory.  Their parting should be a sad memory, yet, he describes it fondly.  It is not tainted with sorrow.  Furthermore, he expresses remorse over the fact that, “nought happens twice thus,” (line 23).  

The speaker also describes the growing difference between himself and his lover as she leaves.  She becomes, “smaller and smaller,” (line 3), as she moves, “down the diminishing platform,” (line 6), until her “nebulous” form vanishes. This imagery could indicate his failing memory.  The details have faded, but he remembers the impressions of her white attire moving further and further and way.  In addition, he remembers the emotion, the passion, and the love that he felt for, “she who was more than my life to me,” (line 15).  And it is these impressions that he treasures and wishes that he could re-experience.