The wellspring of Thomas Hardy and Religion is the recognition that Thomas Hardy's two late great novels, Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, are dominated, respectively, by two religious traditions of nineteenth-century Anglicanism: Evangelicalism and Anglo-Catholicism. Placing those movements in their historical context alongside other Victorian religious traditions, the author explores the development of Hardy's religious beliefs and ideas up till the 1880s. Evangelicalism in Tess is discussed through an analysis of the principal characters, Angel Clare and his father, Parson Clare, Alec d'Urberville and Tess herself, leading to a consideration of why this form of Christianity looms so large in that novel. Not unexpectedly, the reasons for this are linked to Hardy's personal and intellectual biography, especially his religious upbringing and experience of and involvement in these religious traditions. This applies to both novels. The sources of Jude the Obscure in Hardy's life and thought, and their links to Anglo-Catholicism, are revealed in the context of the influence of that tradition on the narrative and characters, in particular Jude's sense of vocation, the importance of the university town of Christminster and issues associated with marriage, divorce and sexuality. Throughout his analysis of both novels the author demonstrates how Hardy lambasts the way in which these religious traditions and the conventional Victorian morality they bolstered undermine human flourishing. Thomas Hardy and Religion concludes by considering the place these two novels have in the continuing trajectory of Hardy's theological ideas, underlining the critical importance of understanding his religious concerns and reflecting on the way in which his critique of religion is important to people of faith.

Thomas Hardy : The Poet Is, Undoubtedly, An Original Critical Work Which Throws Ample Light On Hardy, A Poetic Genius, So Far Neglected. From Several Perspectives Dr. Patil Analyses And Interprets Hardy'S Poetic Ouvre In An Altogether New Critical Idiom. Hardy, As The Author Argues, Is More Of A Poet Than Of A Novelist. In Fact, He Began His Literary Career As A Poet And Ended It In Becoming A Poet Of High Order. Only For The Sake Of Livelihood, He Had To Write Novels In The Middle Phase. Throughout His Life, He Was Extremely In Love With Poetry.Historically Speaking, Hardy Is Aptly Considered To Be 'A Transition Poet' As He Is The Last Victorian And The First Modern. Like G.M. Hopkins, He Made Several Experiments In Writing Poetry And Firmly Established The Modern Trend. These Things About The Poet Are Not At All Taken Seriously By Many Of His Critics; But, There Are Some Like George Saintsbury, Donald Davie, Philip Larkin And James G. Southworth Who Constantly Urge That Good Hardy Critics Are Wanted.The Present Book Explores, In-Depth, The Truth And Beauty Of Hardy'S Poetry. What The Earlier Critics Have Missed Is, Here, Pain¬Stakingly Unearthed I.E., Hardy'S Views On Love, Nature, Society, Religion, God And Universe. His Evolutionary Meliorism And Scientific Humanism Are Discussed At Length. His Robust Optimism And Melancholic Demeanour Are Also Pointed At, With A Greater Clarity And Confidence. All Those Who Want To Understand Modern Poetry Must Begin By Reading This Truly Remarkable Book. Dr. Mallikarjun Patil Was Born In 1967 In A Village In Belgaum District In Karnataka. He Graduated From Karnatak Arts College, Dharwar, And Obtained His M. A. Degree From Karnatak University. He Also Did His Ph.D., On The Existential Philosophy In Thomas Hardy'S Poetry In 1995.At Present, He Is A Lecturer In The Department Of Studies In English, In Gulbarga University, Gulbarga. He Is A Genuine Scholar And A Writer. He Writes Critical Articles And Poems. His Radio-Talks Are Regularly On Broadcast From Air, Gulbarga. His Research Articles Are Published In Encyclopaedias And Journals. His Another Critical Work Hardy'S Poetry And Existentialism Is In Press. His Sole Ambition In Life Is To Become A Full-Fledged Writer In English.

Thomas Hardy's fiction has had a remarkably strong appeal for general readers for decades, and his poetry has been acclaimed as among the most influential of the twentieth century. His work still creates passionate advocacy and opposition. The Cambridge Companion to Thomas Hardy is an essential introduction to this most enigmatic of writers. These commissioned essays from an international team of contributors comprises a general overview of all Hardy' s work and specific demonstrations of Hardy's ideas and literary skills. Individual essays explore Hardy's biography, aesthetics, his famous attachment to Wessex, and the impact on his work of developments in science, religion and philosophy in the late nineteenth century. Hardy's writing is also analysed against developments in contemporary critical theory and issues such as sexuality and gender. The volume also contains a detailed chronology of Hardy's life and publications, and a guide to further reading.

The Book Is A Scholarly Work Which Throws Ample Light On Hardy, A Poet-Thinker So Far A Neglected Genius. The Author Penetrates Deep Into Hardy S Poetry In The Light Of Atheistic Existentialism. He Focuses On Hardy S Views On Man, His Relationship With Nature, Society And His Own Self. According To Hardy, Man In Pride Of His Power Neglects The Importance Of Nature And Society And Fails To Achieve Selfhood. But When He Realizes His Misdeeds, He Conscientiously Makes Up The Differences And Lives Harmoniously In The Society And Biological Milieu With A Firm Decision To Attain An Identity And Perfection.This Book Displays Thomas Hardy S Views On Man, Nature, Society, Religion, God And Universe. It Shows The Undivisible Link That Exists Amidst These Factors. Hardy S Evolutionary Meliorism And Scientific Humanism Are Adequately Discussed And Evaluated. Hardy S Vision Of Life And His Original Views For A New Order Of Life Are Presented With Clarity And Precision. Indeed, The Book Is Really A Brilliant Work On Hardy S Theory Of Human Reality.

Through original essays from a distinguished team of international scholars and Hardy specialists, A Companion to Thomas Hardy provides a unique, one-volume resource, which encompasses all aspects of Hardy's major novels, short stories, and poetry Informed by the latest in scholarly, critical, and theoretical debates from some of the world's leading Hardy scholars Reveals groundbreaking insights through examinations of Hardy’s major novels, short stories, poetry, and drama Explores Hardy's work in the context of the major intellectual and socio-cultural currents of his time and assesses his legacy for subsequent writers

A portrait of the enigmatic nineteenth-century novelist and poet discusses his humble origins, rise through the London literary scene, and efforts to guard his privacy.

Thomas Hardy enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a novelist before devoting his talents to writing poetry for the remainder of his life. This book focuses on Hardy's remarkable achievements as a novelist. Although Victorian readers considered some of his works controversial, his novels remained highly regarded. His novels still appear in the syllabi of courses in Victorian literature and the British novel, as well as courses in feminist/gender studies, environmental studies, and other topics. For scholars, students, and the general reader, this companion helps to makes Hardy's novels accessible by providing a detailed biography of Hardy, plot summaries of each novel, and analyses of the critical contexts surrounding them. Entries focus on the people, cultural forces, literary forms, and movements that influenced Hardy's novels. The companion also suggests approaches for original interpretations and suggestions for further study.