Hardy

Thomas Hardy was an influential English novelist and poet, born on June 2, 1840, and died on January 11, 1928. Hardy is best known for his portrayal of the tragic lives of rural characters set against the backdrop of the fictional Wessex, a semi-imaginary region based on the countryside of southwest England. His works often explore themes of social constraints, fatalism, and the complexities of human relationships.

### Major Works and Themes

#### Novels

1. **Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891)**

   - **Plot Summary**: The novel follows Tess Durbeyfield, a poor but virtuous woman who is seduced by Alec d'Urberville and later marries Angel Clare. After confessing her past to Angel, he leaves her, leading Tess back to Alec, whom she eventually murders in a desperate act. She is arrested at Stonehenge and executed.

   - **Themes**: The novel explores themes of social injustice, the oppressive nature of societal expectations, and the tragic consequences of fate and character flaws.

   - **Setting**: Wessex, particularly the Vale of Blackmoor and the fictional Talbothays Dairy.

2. **Jude the Obscure (1895)**

   - **Plot Summary**: This novel centers on Jude Fawley, a stonemason who aspires to study at the university in Christminster (a fictionalized Oxford). His relationship with his cousin, Sue Bridehead, and their struggles with social norms and personal misfortunes lead to a tragic end where their child, Little Father Time, commits suicide, prompting the eventual downfall of Jude and Sue.

   - **Themes**: Hardy examines the rigid social structures, the limitations placed on individuals by class and religion, and the pursuit of unattainable dreams.

   - **Setting**: The novel is set in Wessex, with significant scenes in the fictional Christminster.

3. **The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886)**

   - **Plot Summary**: Michael Henchard, a man of intense and flawed character, rises to prominence as the mayor of Casterbridge after he drunkenly sells his wife and daughter. The story follows his tragic decline, marked by personal and professional failures.

   - **Themes**: This novel explores themes of redemption, the consequences of past actions, and the complex interplay between character and fate.

   - **Setting**: The fictional town of Casterbridge, based on Dorchester.

4. **Far from the Madding Crowd (1874)**

   - **Plot Summary**: Bathsheba Everdene, a beautiful and independent woman, inherits a farm and is pursued by three very different suitors: the loyal shepherd Gabriel Oak, the dashing but reckless Sergeant Troy, and the wealthy but obsessive Farmer Boldwood.

   - **Themes**: The novel delves into themes of love, honor, and the conflicts between individual desires and social expectations.

   - **Setting**: The rural landscape of Wessex, particularly Weatherbury.

5. **The Return of the Native (1878)**

   - **Plot Summary**: Set on the desolate Egdon Heath, the novel tells the tragic story of Eustacia Vye, who yearns to escape her dreary life, and Clym Yeobright, who returns from Paris with idealistic dreams. Their conflicting desires lead to sorrow and death.

   - **Themes**: Themes include the struggle against fate, the clash between aspiration and reality, and the impact of environment on human lives.

   - **Setting**: Egdon Heath in Wessex.

#### Poetry

1. **"The Darkling Thrush" (1900)**

   - **Summary**: Written on the cusp of the 20th century, the poem describes a bleak winter landscape transformed by the hopeful song of a thrush.

   - **Themes**: The poem explores themes of hope amid despair, the passage of time, and the contrast between nature's beauty and human desolation.

2. **"The Convergence of the Twain" (1912)**

   - **Summary**: This poem reflects on the sinking of the Titanic, presenting it as an inevitable event orchestrated by fate, where the ship and the iceberg were destined to meet.

   - **Themes**: Themes include the indifferent forces of fate, the hubris of human achievement, and the tragic collision of two "twin" destinies.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up

1. **Wessex**:

   - Hardy's fictional region that mirrors the countryside of southwest England is the setting for many of his works, including **Tess of the D'Urbervilles**, **Jude the Obscure**, and **The Mayor of Casterbridge**.

2. **Little Father Time**:

   - A character in **Jude the Obscure** who tragically hangs himself and his siblings, symbolizing the bleakness and despair of the novel's themes.

3. **Alec d'Urberville**:

   - The antagonist in **Tess of the D'Urbervilles** who seduces and rapes Tess, ultimately leading to his murder at her hands.

4. **Angel Clare**:

   - Tess's husband in **Tess of the D'Urbervilles**, who abandons her upon learning of her past, representing societal judgment and moral rigidity.

5. **Stonehenge**:

   - The ancient monument where Tess is arrested in **Tess of the D'Urbervilles**, symbolizing the inescapable and eternal forces of fate.

### Fill-in-the-Blanks Practice

1. The title character of Hardy's **"The Mayor of ___1___"** sells his wife and daughter in a drunken fit.

2. In **"Jude the Obscure"**, Little ___2___ hangs himself and leaves a note saying "Done because we are too menny."

3. Hardy's fictional region of ___3___ is modeled after the countryside of southwest England.

4. Tess is executed after being arrested at ___4___ in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles".

5. In **"The Convergence of the Twain"**, Hardy describes the fate of the ___5___ sinking after meeting an iceberg.

Answers:

1. Casterbridge

2. Father Time

3. Wessex

4. Stonehenge

5. Titanic

Thomas Hardy's works continue to be celebrated for their profound exploration of human struggles and the inexorable forces of nature and fate. His vivid depictions of rural life and his tragic characters have left a lasting impact on English literature.

Here are the recurring clues and references for questions about Thomas Hardy, sorted by frequency:

### Frequency Count: 20

- **Wessex**: Hardy’s fictional English county that serves as the setting for many of his novels.

### Frequency Count: 19

- **Tess of the d'Urbervilles**: Mentioned in multiple contexts, including:

  - Tess’s arrest at Stonehenge.

  - The stabbing of Alec.

  - Tess’s marriage to Angel Clare.

  - The character of Sorrow, Tess’s child.

  - Tess being a milkmaid at Talbothays Dairy.

### Frequency Count: 18

- **Jude the Obscure**: Discussed in different scenarios, such as:

  - Little Father Time’s suicide and the murder of his siblings.

  - Jude’s relationships with Sue Bridehead and Arabella Donn.

  - Sue Bridehead’s dislike for sex after marrying Phillotson.

### Frequency Count: 17

- **The Mayor of Casterbridge**: Michael Henchard’s story, often involving:

  - His auctioning of his wife and daughter.

  - His complex relationships, including with Lucetta Le Sueur and Donald Farfrae.

### Frequency Count: 16

- **The Return of the Native**: Noted in relation to:

  - The character of Eustacia Vye and her tragic death.

  - The setting of Egdon Heath.

  - The character of Clym Yeobright.

### Frequency Count: 15

- **The Convergence of the Twain**: Hardy’s poem about the Titanic.

### Frequency Count: 14

- **The Darkling Thrush**: Hardy’s poem about a bird singing in a bleak landscape.

### Frequency Count: 12

- **Far from the Madding Crowd**: Frequently brought up for:

  - Gabriel Oak’s pursuit of Bathsheba Everdene.

  - Bathsheba’s interactions with Sergeant Troy and Mr. Boldwood.

### Frequency Count: 7

- **Under the Greenwood Tree**: Often mentioned in the context of:

  - The romantic story between Dick Dewy and Fancy Day.

### Frequency Count: 6

- **Little Father Time**: From *Jude the Obscure*, including his tragic actions and suicide.

- **Eustacia Vye**: From *The Return of the Native*, often in connection with her drowning.

### Frequency Count: 5

- **Stonehenge**: As a significant location in *Tess of the d’Urbervilles* where Tess is arrested.

### Frequency Count: 4

- **Talbothays Dairy**: The workplace of Tess in *Tess of the d’Urbervilles*.

- **Arabella Donn**: A character in *Jude the Obscure*, significant for her relationship with Jude.

- **Angel Clare**: Tess’s husband in *Tess of the d’Urbervilles*.

- **Alec d'Urberville**: Tess’s rapist and eventual murder victim.

### Frequency Count: 3

- **Stonehenge**: The place of Tess’s arrest in *Tess of the d’Urbervilles*.

- **Egdon Heath**: The setting for *The Return of the Native*.

- **Michael Henchard**: The protagonist of *The Mayor of Casterbridge*.

- **Sue Bridehead**: Jude’s cousin and love interest in *Jude the Obscure*.