Ecocriticism in Thomas Hardy's Wessex:A critical study of Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Abstract

Thomas Hardy is a popular writer and a masterful reporter of rural life. As a skilled creator of a host of interesting characters, he presents a pessimistic view of the universe. His ‘Wessex’ is a reflection of Dorset, south west coast of England, where he was born and reared. Hardy’s Wessex is partly real and partly a dream country. As a regional writer his genius lies in imparting it a universal appeal and giving it a realistic spirit. This paper explores Hardy’s engagement with nineteenth century ideas and will look into the contemporary debate about ‘sustainability’. Hardy’s belief of ‘interconnectedness’ that binds human beings and ecology finds full expression in his novels. He is suspicious of the advancement of modern civilization. As far as Wessex is unaffected by modernistic ideas, the natives are happy in their backwardness, poverty and simplistic living. But as the sophisticated people bring technology and machines in the town they disturb the even tenor of simple life. This disrupts the harmony between his characters and the landscape, leading to tragic ends. His belief of ‘one -great network’ recognizes the interdependency of life and ecology. The paper will explore how his imaginative realization represents this ‘collectivity’ in his novels.