THOMAS HARDY

 THOMAS HARDY

 

Introduction
Thomas Hardy was a major English novelist and poet of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his novels set in the fictional region of Wessex, which was inspired by the rural areas of southwest England. Hardy’s works reflect a deep concern with the struggles of ordinary people against social pressure, fate, and harsh natural laws. Though he started as a novelist, he later turned mainly to poetry. Hardy's writing is marked by a sense of tragedy, realism, and strong criticism of Victorian society.

 

Hardy’s Background and Influence

Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in Dorset, England. He grew up in a rural village, and his early life among farmers and country folk greatly influenced his novels. Trained as an architect, he later moved to London and started writing. His deep interest in classical literature, the Bible, and philosophy shaped his themes and ideas. Hardy was influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which made him question traditional religious beliefs. This influence can be seen in the tragic tone and fatalism in his stories.

 

Themes in Hardy’s Novels

Hardy's novels are filled with a sense of fate and pessimism. He often shows how human beings are controlled by forces beyond their understanding, like nature, chance, or social customs. One main theme is the conflict between individual desires and social expectations. His characters, especially women, often suffer because of strict social rules. In Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Tess is punished by society for a sin she did not choose. In Jude the Obscure, Jude and Sue struggle against class and religious norms, only to face misery and loss.

 

Realism and Tragedy

Hardy's novels are known for their realistic portrayals of rural life. He describes village customs, dialects, and landscapes with great detail. But this realism is combined with tragedy, as most of his characters face failure and sorrow. Hardy believed that life was unfair and full of suffering. He did not offer happy endings. Instead, he showed how people could be destroyed by circumstances beyond their control. His use of tragic plots made his novels emotionally powerful and thought-provoking.

 

Use of Nature and Setting

Nature plays a central role in Hardy’s novels. The countryside is not just a background, but an active force in the lives of the characters. In The Return of the Native, Egdon Heath becomes a symbol of loneliness and fate. In Far from the Madding Crowd, the changing seasons and rural life reflect the emotions of the characters. Hardy often used weather, landscape, and time of day to create mood and tension. Nature in his works is beautiful but also uncaring and indifferent to human suffering.

 

Women in Hardy’s Works

Hardy wrote some of the most memorable female characters in English literature. Women like Tess, Bathsheba, and Sue are strong, emotional, and complex. However, they often suffer more than men because of the double standards of Victorian society. Hardy showed how women’s freedom was limited and how they were judged harshly for their choices. His sympathy for women and criticism of gender inequality made his works bold and controversial for the time.

 

Style and Language

Hardy’s style is rich and poetic. He uses vivid descriptions, detailed narration, and thoughtful reflections. His language often includes symbolism and irony. For example, in The Mayor of Casterbridge, the sale of a wife becomes a symbol of personal downfall. Hardy also uses foreshadowing to prepare readers for the tragic endings. Though some critics found his language too detailed or slow, many praised his careful use of words and deep emotional tone.

 

Controversy and Criticism

Some of Hardy’s novels were attacked for being too dark or immoral. Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure especially caused public outrage because of their criticism of religion and society. The harsh response to Jude the Obscure led Hardy to stop writing novels and focus on poetry for the rest of his life. But today, these same novels are considered masterpieces for their boldness and honesty.

 

Hardy as a Poet

After giving up novels, Hardy wrote over 900 poems. His poetry reflects the same themes of loss, nature, love, and fate. Poems like The Darkling Thrush and During Wind and Rain show his deep sadness and thoughtful reflections on time and change. He is now seen as one of the greatest poets of his time, even though he was more famous as a novelist during his life.

 

Legacy and Importance

Thomas Hardy’s work had a huge impact on English literature. He brought attention to the pain and struggles of rural people. He showed that literature could challenge society’s norms and express deep truths about life. Writers like D. H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, and Thomas Mann admired his honesty and vision. Hardy’s mix of realism, tragedy, and poetic style remains powerful and inspiring today.

 

Conclusion
Thomas Hardy was a master of emotional storytelling. His novels and poems show the beauty of nature and the sadness of human life. He gave voice to ordinary people and exposed the unfairness in society. Though his works were once seen as too dark, they are now praised for their depth and truth. Hardy's legacy lives on as a writer who looked at life honestly and wrote with deep feeling and care.

 

REFERENCE
Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the D’Urbervilles. London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine & Co., 1891.
Hardy, Thomas. Jude the Obscure. London: Osgood, McIlvaine & Co., 1895.
Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the English-Speaking World. Anboco, 2016.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SONNET

  Sonnet – As a literary form   1. Introduction The sonnet is a short lyric poem of 14 lines , written in iambic pentameter . It is one of the most important poetic forms in English and European literature. The word “sonnet” comes from the Italian word sonetto , meaning “a little song.” This form allows the poet to express deep emotion, especially about love, beauty, nature, and time. Though it began in Italy, the sonnet became extremely popular in England, especially during the Elizabethan Age .   2. Origin and History The sonnet form began in 13th-century Italy . Its earliest and most famous practitioner was Francesco Petrarch . He wrote a sequence of love sonnets to his muse, Laura . His form, now called the Petrarchan sonnet , influenced all of Europe. In the 16th century, Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey brought the form to England. They translated and adapted Petrarch’s sonnets into English. Later, William Shakespeare and Edmund Spen...
Read more

THE PURITAN AGE

  CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PURITAN AGE (1620–1660)   Introduction The Puritan Age in English literature refers to the period between 1620 and 1660. It was a time of deep political, religious, and social unrest in England. The age is named after the Puritans, a group of religious reformers who wanted to purify the Church of England. This period includes the rule of King Charles I, the English Civil War, the execution of the king, and the rise of Oliver Cromwell. It ends with the Restoration of Charles II. Literature during this time reflected the seriousness and struggles of the period. Writers focused on religious faith, moral values, and the duty of man toward God. The joyful spirit of the Elizabethan Age disappeared. In its place came a tone of seriousness, discipline, and introspection.   Religious Influence and Moral Purpose One of the most striking features of the Puritan Age is its religious character . Almost all the writing of this time was shaped by the B...
Read more

THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE NOVEL

    THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE NOVEL   Introduction The novel is a powerful and popular form of literature. It tells stories in prose and focuses on people, emotions, and events. But the novel did not exist from the beginning. It is a modern form compared to older forms like epic poetry and drama. William Henry Hudson, in his book An Introduction to the Study of Literature , gives a clear explanation of how the novel began and how it grew. His views help us understand why the novel became so important in modern literature. This essay discusses the origin and growth of the novel as presented by Hudson.  Early Roots and Literary Background The novel is one of the latest literary forms to develop. It came after poetry, ballads, epics, and drama. Long ago, people shared stories through oral traditions. These included tales of heroes, gods, and great battles. Slowly, these became written poems and plays. While the drama appeared earlier, the novel came later...
Read more