13. Which fact about Hardy's background contributes mosf to the understanding of "I Look into My Glass"? A. When Hardy was 16 , he had to drop out of school and become an architect's apprentice. B. Hardy grew up in a remote cottage in rural England with his parents and three siblings. C. Hardy considered himself a poet first and a novelist second. D. Hardy and his wife Emma stayed together but began to grow apart as they got older.

Thomas Hardy’s upbringing in a remote cottage deeply rooted in rural life greatly influenced his perception of nature and human emotion, both of which permeate "I Look into My Glass." The isolation and simplicity of his early environment provided him with a unique lens through which he explored themes of melancholy and introspection, allowing readers to feel the weight of his existential reflections. Moreover, Hardy's complex relationship with his wife Emma adds another layer of depth to his poetry. As they grew apart over the years, this emotional distance fostered a profound sense of loneliness and longing in his work. Understanding this backdrop reveals the poignant essence of "I Look into My Glass," illuminating Hardy’s meditations on aging and the passage of time.