Concetti Chiave
- Thomas Hardy, born in Dorset, known as "Wessex" in his works, began his writing career with poetry before turning to fiction due to initial rejections.
- "Tess of the d’Urbervilles" faced Victorian shock due to its bold themes, blending detailed descriptions and a structured plot influenced by Hardy's architectural background.
- Hardy's writing often challenges Victorian norms on society, sexuality, and religion, as seen in works like "Jude the Obscure" and "Tess of the d’Urbervilles."
- Hardy's novels, set in the fictional "Wessex," critique the belief in progress and highlight the impact of the industrial revolution on society and nature.
- Nature plays a crucial role in Hardy's stories, acting as a living element intertwined with the characters' experiences and broader themes of pessimism and determinism.
What was Thomas Hardy's early life like?
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was born in Dorset, the area that in his books he called “Wessex”; he studied architecture and started writing poems that were rejected by publishers, so he turned into fiction.
His most famous works are:
- Jude the Obscure: this novel presents a man divided between two women (who represent the virginal and sexual love); like “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”, this book challenges the Victorian ideas about society, sexual morality and religion.
Tess of the d’Urbervilles analysis
- Tess of the d’Urbervilles: a book divided in more parts; when it was collected in a volume, some parts were omitted because shocked the Victorian readers. Descriptions are clear and detailed, the plot is balanced and well-structured thanks to his studies as an architect. Hardy saw nature with the scientist’s point of view (and not with the passionate Romantic point of view) and had a pessimistic vision of life, influenced by Darwin’s and Schopenhauer’s theories. Tess is passive, accepts everything which happens to her because when she rebelled things got worse and, despite of her honesty and purity, she didn’t manage to change her situation: there’s a tragic end. There’s an opposition even between male and female heroes: Angel is positive only in appearance, because he is full of the prejudice of the time and can’t forget Tess for her previous relationship.
Hardy's novels and themes
All Hardy’s novels deny the general belief in progress and are set in the imaginary region of “Wessex” (cfr. The reign of Alfred the Great) in order to link the past and the present and to underline the destruction caused by industrial revolution. Nature is a living part of the story, always connected with the events that happens to the characters.
Domande da interrogazione
- What influenced Thomas Hardy's shift from poetry to fiction writing?
- How do Hardy's novels challenge Victorian society?
- What role does nature play in Hardy's novels?
Thomas Hardy initially wrote poems, but after facing rejection from publishers, he turned to fiction. His architectural studies also influenced his writing style, contributing to the structured and detailed nature of his novels.
Hardy's novels, such as "Jude the Obscure" and "Tess of the d’Urbervilles," challenge Victorian ideas about society, sexual morality, and religion. They present complex characters and situations that question societal norms and highlight the struggles against societal prejudices.
In Hardy's novels, nature is a living part of the story, intricately connected with the events affecting the characters. His scientific view of nature, influenced by Darwin and Schopenhauer, contrasts with the Romantic perspective and underscores the impact of the industrial revolution on the natural world.
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