• Denis FongeTembong

  Author

The article, “Tennyson, Hardy and the Exerting Sense of Christmas”, seeks to
establish that despite the marked differences in the theological beliefs of Alfred Lord Tennyson
and Thomas Hardy, two renowned nineteenth century English poets, they share commonalities of
the Victorian spirit, especially, their similar Christmas nostalgic impulses. The discourse delves
into critical analysis of “The Oxen” and “In Memoriam A.H.H”, wherein Hardy’s and
Tennyson’s overwhelming childhood influences of Christmas legend actively play into their adult
mines. The feelings appear to be so strong and alive that the agnostic and pessimistic character,
which Hardy later developed, could not erode past memories of his youthful Christmas
excitements. Similarly, Christmas became a therapy for Tennyson’s broken spirit issuing from
the dead of his beloved friend A.H Hallam. The essay highlights with textual evidence, the
positive influences of Christmas artistically recollected from past memories, as valuable piles to
dull moments of their adult life.

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