The Return of the Native
From Conservapedia
| The Return of the Native | |
|---|---|
| Author | Thomas Hardy |
| Year Published | 1878 |
| Language | English |
The Return of the Native is an 1878 novel by English author Thomas Hardy.
Plot
The novel follows a year in the life of a small group of individuals living in Egdon Heath, a mythical part of England used in Hardy's novels. Constructed in the form of the tragedy, it follows the intertwined interests of the quiet reddleman Diggory Vane, the haughty Eustacia Vye, the gifted but discontent Clym (Cleobright) Yeobright, and his cousin Thomasin.
Paganism and Christianity
The Return of the Native is notable for its interplay of pagan elements, referencing the ancient history of the heathlands, classical mythology, and Christian imagery. It is modeled after Greek tragedy, and Greek descriptors are applied to the characters and the heath itself. It is a call to Christian evangelism, as Clym Yeobright hopes to educate the irreligious heathlanders in modern culture and Christian religion.
