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'''Thomas Hardy''' (June 2, 1840 - January 11, 1928) was an [[English]] novelist and poet. Typically, his stories take place in the fictional, pastoral county of [[Wessex]] (roughly corresponding to [[Dorset]], [[Wiltshire]], [[Somerset]], [[Devon]], [[Hampshire]], [[Berkshire]] and [[Oxfordshire]]), and feature themes such as tragedy, passion, fortune, death, religion and social status. Wessex first featured in ''[[Far From the Madding Crowd]]'', his first major literary success. Further literary classics include ''[[The Mayor of Casterbridge]]'', ''[[Tess of the D'Urbervilles]]'' and ''[[Jude the Obscure]]''.  Most of his novels were initially written as serials, such that segments were published in periodicals and endings were designed to hold the readers' interest for the next segment.  Only his novels ''Desperate Remedies'' (1871) and ''Under The Greenwood Tree'' (1872) were initially published as books.

'''Thomas Hardy''' (June 2, 1840 - January 11, 1928) was an [[English]] novelist and poet. Typically, his stories take place in the fictional, pastoral county of [[Wessex]] (roughly corresponding to [[Dorset]], [[Wiltshire]], [[Somerset]], [[Devon]], [[Hampshire]], [[Berkshire]] and [[Oxfordshire]]), and feature themes such as tragedy, passion, fortune, death, religion and social status. Wessex first featured in ''[[Far From the Madding Crowd]]'', his first major literary success. Further literary classics include ''[[The Mayor of Casterbridge]]'', ''[[Tess of the D'Urbervilles]]'' and ''[[Jude the Obscure]]''.  Most of his novels were initially written as serials, such that segments were published in periodicals and endings were designed to hold the readers' interest for the next segment.  Only his novels ''Desperate Remedies'' (1871) and ''Under The Greenwood Tree'' (1872) were initially published as books.

Despite becoming a celebrity in his own time, Hardy was disheartened by the negative criticisms of the themes and characters in his novels. Having always preferred writing poetry, he unofficially retired from novel writing to focus on the art up until his death. Hardy's poetry is somewhat more eclectic in tone, often featuring darker humor than seen in his novels. Though more famous for his novels, Hardy's poems have since become greatly respected.

Despite becoming a celebrity in his own time, Hardy was disheartened by the negative criticisms of the themes and characters in his novels, and having always preferred writing poetry, he stopped writing novels, and concentrated on his poetry.

==Themes==

==Themes==

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 catalyzed 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 portrayed the devoutly religious 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, Hardy was an animal lover, and many of his poems focused on his beloved cats.

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 catalyzed 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 portrayed the devoutly religious as dogmatic, callous, and at odds with the kinder, meek faith of the protagonists. This caused controversy, with religious figures condemning this negative attitude, as well as Hardy's depiction of "fallen women" in a sympathetic light.

==See also==

==See also==