1. Personification of Nature: The poem begins by personifying the wind as a "voice," setting the stage for the speaker's encounter with nature. The wind is described as "mournful" and "sad," reflecting the speaker's emotional state and the melancholic tone of the poem.
2. Emotional Impact: By attributing human emotions to the wind, Hardy enhances the emotional impact of the poem. The wind's "mournful" voice creates a sense of empathy and draws the reader into the speaker's state of mind.
3. Symbolism: The pathetic fallacy in the poem creates symbolism by associating the natural elements with the speaker's inner feelings. The wind's mournful voice can be interpreted as a symbol of the speaker's own grief and sorrow.
4. Imagery and Atmosphere: The use of pathetic fallacy in the poem contributes to the vivid imagery and melancholic atmosphere of the poem. The imagery of the "damp twilight," "barren plain," and "dreary moan" creates a sense of desolation and isolation.
5. Heightening Emotions: By personifying the wind, Hardy intensifies the emotional experience of the speaker. The wind's mourning adds depth to the speaker's grief, making the poem's emotional resonance stronger.
6. Connection with Nature: Pathetic fallacy in the poem establishes a strong connection between the human experience and the natural world. The speaker's emotional state is reflected in and echoed by the surrounding nature.
7. Foreshadowing: The pathetic fallacy in the poem might hint at events or revelations later in the poem. The wind's sad voice might foreshadow a loss or a melancholic event in the speaker's life.
8. Unity of Theme: The use of pathetic fallacy helps to unify the poem around a central theme of loss, sorrow, and the speaker's connection with nature.
In conclusion, the use of pathetic fallacy in Thomas Hardy's poem "The Voice" enhances the poem's mood, imagery, and emotional impact by personifying the natural elements and linking them with the speaker's inner emotions and states of mind.