Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 The Life and Poetry of Thomas Hardy Designed for UD junior poets interested in Thomas Hardy, or simply for those interested in poetry © TTHA, Reproduced by permission

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003

After viewing this PowerPoint those interested in Thomas Hardy will be able to: Know specific details of Hardy’s biography Have a broad understanding of how Hardy’s poetry results from his life experiences Be exposed to the recurring themes of Hardy’s poetry Be directed to the most helpful websites dealing with Thomas Hardy’s poetry

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Born in 1840, Thomas Hardy became known as a prominent novelist and poet in British and American literature. He published 8 volumes of poetry, one being published posthumously. Hardy’s poetry is commonly referred to as pessimistic and was not received well during his lifetime. One of the most common elements seen throughout Hardy’s poetry is his use of autobiographical information within the poems

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Thomas Hardy was born on June 2, 1840 in Higher Bockhampton in this cottage. Throughout his life, he would fondly remember this house and frequently visit it. Hardy spent his early life singing in the church choir with his father. He was a sickly child and was not able to attend school at a young age. At the age of 22, Hardy moved to London to become an architect.

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Hardy first met his future wife, Emma Gifford, at St. Juliot’s rectory in They married in 1874 This chance meeting would shape the next 40 years of Hardy’s life. Emma Gifford was a woman of high social status. She had a very interesting personality and was always remember by visitors to the Hardy household. She died in Thomas and Emma Hardy resided at Max Gate from 1884 onward.

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Hardy’s first volume of poetry, Wessex Poems, was published in Hardy met Florence Dugdale in After Emma’s death in 1912, Florence and Hardy married and continued to live at Max Gate Hardy died on January 11, 1928.

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Disillusioned Love “Neutral Tones” In Hardy’s earlier works, this was a favored theme. Love was never reciprocated or happy, but tedious and marked with infidelity. The poems of written after Emma’s death are also considered love poems.

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Religion/Loss of Faith “The Oxen” Hardy was a pronounced agnostic during his later life. His poetry is marked with his disbelief in God and a belief in some other ruling force within the universe. In some ways, Hardy needs the basis of belief to show disbelief in his poetry.

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Chance and Coincidence “Hap” Hardy’s most discussed and most widely used theme is that of chance and coincidence. One entire volume of poetry is devoted to the “Satires of Circumstance.” For Hardy, there was no omniscient ruling power of the universe. The experiences in one’s life were a result of Chance and Coincidence.

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003 Now you can make your own decisions as to whether or not YOU think Hardy’s poetry is autobiographical. One thing I must warn you of…the author of a poem is not necessarily its speaker. Hardy is not necessarily the love-torn man and Emma is not necessarily the ghost he is seeking. The ultimate question for all of Hardy’s poetry is… what is Mr. Hardy’s cosmos? What REALLY shapes his world? If you’re interested in Mr. Hardy as he has been described here, please explore the websites on the next slide.

Copyright Jeanna Harnisch 2003