Thomas Hardy

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Florence Hardy at the seaside 1915

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Thomas Hardy's Cottage, Bockhampton, Dorset

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Thomas Hardy Locations, Tess of the Durbervilles (1) - geograph.org.uk - 707277

Thomas Hardy Locations, Return of the Native - geograph.org.uk - 786542

Thomas Hardy (2 June 1840 – 11 January 1928) was an English novelist and poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot, he was influenced both in his novels and in his poetry by Romanticism, especially William Wordsworth. Hardy's critical thoughts on Victorian society can be seen in much of his work, which explores themes of social constraint, the struggle between passion and reason, and the inevitability of loss. With his vivid descriptions of the rural life of his native Dorset, Hardy has been credited with helping to transform the pastoral novel.

Biography

Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in the small English village of Higher Bockhampton in the county of Dorset, which would become the semi-fictional Wessex of his novels. Initially trained as an architect, Hardy turned to writing in his late twenties, first publishing novels, then focusing on poetry in the last thirty years of his life.

Early Life

Hardy's education was modest, attending local schools before being apprenticed to an architect. Despite his professional path, he never ceased to be interested in literature, dedicating his spare time to reading and writing.

Literary Career

Hardy's first novel, Desperate Remedies (1871), received little attention, but his subsequent work, Under the Greenwood Tree (1872), won him some acclaim. This was followed by a series of novels now considered classics, including Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895). His last novels, particularly Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, were controversial for their critical take on Victorian morality and society, leading Hardy to abandon novel writing and focus on poetry for the remainder of his life.

Poetry

Hardy's poetry, like his novels, is characterized by his deep sensitivity to the natural world and keen insight into human emotions. His collections such as Wessex Poems (1898) and Poems of the Past and the Present (1901) are notable for their engagement with past and present, blending classical and romantic elements.

Themes and Style

Hardy's work is marked by its fatalistic view of life, the inevitability of fate, and the tragic nature of existence. His characters often struggle against circumstances beyond their control, leading to inevitable downfall or despair. Hardy's style is distinguished by his descriptive power, particularly of the Wessex landscape, which forms a vivid backdrop to his narratives.

Legacy

Thomas Hardy is regarded as one of the most important figures in English literature, his novels and poetry having left a lasting impact on the literary landscape. His depiction of Wessex and his exploration of human nature have influenced countless writers and continue to attract readers worldwide.