What forces rule human existence? How does Hardy characterize these force?

Do Hardy's poems mention or allude to God? What seems to be his attitude toward faith and belief?

What is the poet remembering in "Neutral Tones"? How has attitude changed toward the past?

Which of these poems deal with the theme of loss? What has been lost? How do the poems cope with loss?

Who is "Drummer Hodge"? How does his life end? What is the poem's attitude toward his death?

How does "The Ruined Maid" present and comment on the Fallen Woman?

In "The Darkling Thrush" Hardy refers to "The Century's corpse." According to this poem what does it mean to have survived/lived through the 19th century?