English Literature

ENGLISH LITERATURE

THOMAS HARDY

During the summer, you should choose and read a novel by Thomas Hardy. We can recommend Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Far From the Madding Crowd, The Mayor of Casterbridge, The Woodlanders, Two on a Tower, Jude the Obscure and The Return of the Native but there are others and you can decide. If a novel is too daunting, try a selection of Hardy’s short stories. Start with The Withered Arm and then try The Three Strangers.

Read a selection of poems by Hardy including The Darkling Thrush, Domicilium, Neutral Tones, The Ruined Maid, The Tramp Woman’s Tragedy, An August Midnight, The Impercipient, The Man he Killed, Drummer Hodge, and The Convergence of the Twain.

Visit the website www.hardysociety.org and read the section About Hardy. Look too at the Resources section and follow some of the links about the novel you are reading and the poetry.

If you are really keen, visit the Dorchester Museum, take a walk to Stinsford Church and Hardy’s cottage together with any other local sites that are mentioned in the novels. If you look at the neal.oxborrow.net/Thomas_Hardy/hardyplacenames.htm you will find a comprehensive list. Look at www.imdb.com to consider the different film adaptations. Try www.youtube.com which also has some audio recordings and reviews.

Write a 500 word review of the novel or short story giving a very brief synopsis of what it is about and your views about the development of character, setting and plot.