Thomas Hardy By Mallori Lesh

Overview The Life and Times of Thomas Hardy Novels Poetry and Drama

The Life and Times of Thomas Hardy

Young Thomas Hardy Born June 2, 1840 Higher Bockhampton, Dorset Setting for many of his novels Father was a mason Creative, love of music He had 3 brothers and sisters

Thomas’ Education It was very important to his mother that Thomas be educated 1848 began school in Lower Bockhampton 1849 transferred to school in Dorchester Walked 3 miles each way every day Gained a love of the outdoors and detail Enjoys classes in music, Latin, and dance

Hardy as an Apprentice 1856-61 Hardy apprenticed to John Hicks, an architect Worked restoring churches Made educated friends, had many discussion Studied Greek and poetry with Horace Moule It was a parental decision…. His mom wanted him to have a good future

Hardy as an Architect 1862 Hardy moves to London to work as an Architect Hardy begins writing poetry, but is rejected Hardy is involved in London’s culture, but is disillusioned by the social class structure 1870 Hardy reads Darwin, Spencer and Huxley Begins to lose his Christian beliefs Immanent Will- Unfeeling, unthinking force that governs existence Hardy is ill, returns to Dorset to work for Hicks

1871-97 The Novelist Hardy abandons poetry and begins to write novels Publishes Desperate Remedies and Under the Greenwood Tree Most of his works published as serials in magazines 1870 Hardy meets Emma Gifford, his future wife

Home Life 1874 Hardy marries Emma Gifford Hardy becomes very ill She was also a writer, although none of her work was very good Hardy becomes very ill Forced to dictate his works Constantly moves from home to home

Novels Hardy continues to write novels 1878-Return of the Native 1881-A Laodicean 1887-The Woodlanders 1888-Wessex Tales Hardy builds Max Gate, his own home

Literary Criticism Hardy was constantly criticized for his work Tess of the d’Urbervilles Editors forced Hardy to rewrite parts of it Well received, but heavily criticized Jude the Obscure Harsh criticism-considered blasphemous Critic G.K. Chesterton wrote that Hardy “became a sort of village atheist brooding and blaspheming over the village idiot” Because of the criticism, Hardy was “cured” of his desire to write novels, and returned to poetry

Hardy’s Marriage 1892 Hardy’s marriage begins to become very difficult Hardy had many beautiful “pupils” with whom he was in constant contact Emma became very jealous of these relationships 1893 Hardy meets Florence Henniker in Dublin

1897-1928 The Poet Because of the extreme criticism, Hardy returns to poetry Poetry collection 1898 Wessex Poems published Object to “depict the Wessex country of Thomas Hardy” 1901 Poems of the Past and Present Poems about Philosophy, God’s failure to look after humanity, women who were in love with him

Hardy’s Personal Life 1907 Hardy meets and begins a relationship with writer Florence Dugdale 1910 Hardy received the Order of Merit for excellence in his field 1912 Emma Hardy suddenly dies 1914 Hardy marries his lover Florence Dugdale

Hardy continues to write poetry 1914 WWI breaks out Hardy pledges alliance to the Allies Continues to write poetry Publishes Satires of Circumstance 1914 Continues Writing Moments of Vision 1917 Late Lyrics and Earlier 1922 Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs, and Trifles 1925

Hardy’s Death 1927 becomes very ill Jan 10, 1928 Hardy dies He is buried in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey His heart is buried in Stinsford Churchyard His final poetic work Winter Words is published after his death

Influences on Hardy’s Writing

Social Class Struggle with social nobility and class structure The Poor Man and the Lady Jude the Obscure Limited opportunities because of his humble origins

Christianity Born into Christian home Acquired parent’s faith Encountered new religious ideas, Darwinism Lost his faith Confusion and Frustration about faith “Hap” “God Forgotten” “God’s Education” God’s absolute indifference to man Spent his life looking for God Couldn’t accept God on faith alone

Censorship Victorians had a fear of change, and criticized works that challenged their stability Hardy was influenced by liberal authors/thinkers Most novels published serially Editors always wanted to change his manuscripts Tess of the d’Ubervilles originally titled “Too Late, Beloved” forced to change it Hardy attacked for the work Maligned God, one reviewer called it “a coarse and disagreeable story in a coarse and disagreeable manner”

Censorship concluded Hardy wrote “Candour in English Fiction” Spoke out about his difficulties with censorship The magazine format doesn’t “foster the growth of the novel which reflects and reveals life” Hardy said “If the author ever weeps it probably is then, when he first discovers the fearful price that he has to pay for the privilege of writing in the English language.” Hardy switched to poetry to be able to express his ideas without restriction