Although the first two stanzas of Thomas Hardy's "The Darkling Thrush" are depressing, the poem gives out some hope and optimism at the end. All the gloomy grey weather and frozen landscape are suddenly lightened up by a bird's "fullhearted evensong" (19). This restores the speaker's faith and makes him believe that there must be "Some blessed Hope, whereof [the bird] knew" (31). It is noteworthy that he doesn't turn bitter, annoyed, or jealous that the bird has a "cause for carolings" (25) and he doesn't, showing that he still has faith in happiness.
Often when we are strangled by depression and frustration, we magnify our own problems and discontent. We think only of ourselves and our misery, and sometimes turn hostile to the world - "why is this happening to ME? Why can't I have what they have? I hate this world!" We have to remember that the world doesn't revolve around ourselves, that we are just a tiny tiny part of it. We should be appreciative that there are still reasons to rejoice, and hope that next time they will be somewhere we know.
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