Changes

Hardy's novels address a number of social issues of the time. [[Class]] is most prevalent, with characters regularly suffering due to the financial and social restrictions of their specific class. This is most apparent in the "fallen woman" archetypes that are regularly featured.

Hardy's novels address a number of social issues of the time. [[Class]] is most prevalent, with characters regularly suffering due to the financial and social restrictions of their specific class. This is most apparent in the "fallen woman" archetypes that are regularly featured.

The "wheel of fortune" is another recurring tragic feature. Characters will often transition from a low social position to a higher one, or vice versa. This is often catalysed by the introduction of an "outsider", who will appear towards the beginning of the story and upset the established social order. This social and technological transition reflects the great changes brought about by the [[Industrial revolution]]. Also, there are the themes of religion. Though a practicing [[Anglican]], Hardy would often question his [[faith]] and the church through his novels and poetry. He would often portray representatives of religious institutions negatively, portrayed as dogmatic, callous, and at odds with the kinder, meek faith of the protagonists. This caused some degree of controversy for the time, with religious figures condemning their negative portrayal, as well as Hardy's attempts to portray "fallen women" in a sympathetic light. Finally,

The "wheel of fortune" is another recurring tragic feature. Characters will often transition from a low social position to a higher one, or vice versa. This is often catalysed by the introduction of an "outsider", who will appear towards the beginning of the story and upset the established social order. This social and technological transition reflects the great changes brought about by the [[Industrial revolution]]. Also, there are the themes of religion. Though a practicing [[Anglican]], Hardy would often question his [[faith]] and the Church through his novels and poetry. He would often portray representatives of religious institutions negatively, as dogmatic, callous, and at odds with the kinder, faith of the protagonists. This caused controversy, as did also Hardy's sympathetic presentation of "fallen women".

 

 

==External links==

==External links==