Sunday, December 19, 2010

Hardy’s art of plot-construction in Return of the Native

Symmetry and unity: The plots in the novels of Hardy show a
remarkable unity and symmetry. Hardy’s training as an architect seems to
have greatly influenced his art in the construction of his plots. The
RETURN OF THE NATIVE has a plot which admirably built and
constructed. The plot largely follows the logic of cause and effect (even
though chance too plays its part) and it is free from any superfluities and
digressions. The plot is well-knit and the various love-stories are
interwoven. The setting of the story, namely Egdon Heath remains the
same, is a great unity. In observing the unities, this novel has the stamp of
ancient classical tragedy.

A Typical Hardy-tragedy: RETURN OF THE NATIVE is quite typical of

Hardy’s peculiar genius and fully illustrates Hardy’s view of tragedy. In
considering any tragic work, whether it takes the form of a play or a novel,
we have to ask the following questions: (1) What sort of persons are the
victims of suffering? (2) What are the causes of the disaster or catastrophe
that engulfs them? (3) What is the emotional reaction of the audience or the
readers to the suffering depicted and what is the nature of the impact that
the spectacle of human misery makes on them? (4) What is the writer’s
view of human nature in general (be it good or bad)? The NR answers all
the questions. (discuss the background of the novel and the characters).
The causes of disaster in a tragedy. The clash of human wills and
purposes: as previously studied.
The working of fate, incidents and the hostility of nature: as
previously studied.
The emotional impact: The tragic scenes in the novel are very powerful
indeed. Hardy’s description of the circumstances in which Mrs. Yeobright
dies is intensely moving. The effect of her death on Clym’s mind and the
haunting sense of guilt which he experiences is also touching. The death of
Eustacia, whether accidental or suicidal, create powerful impact on our
minds. The descriptions of tragic happenings give rise to a wide range of
emotions in our hearts – pity, fear, terror, awe, admiration etc. A
“Catharsis” of the feelings of pity and fear is certainly effected, if by
“Catharsis” we mean simply a feeling of relief achieved though an intense
experience of the twin feelings of pity and fear.
The essentials of the plot: The pictorial opening of the novel is famous.
It introduces Egdon Heath, which has been regarded as one of the principal
characters in the novel. After dealing with the Heath, Hardy introduces
human characters. The first to appear is Eustacia Vye who is disgruntled
with life and is entangled in a secret love-affair with the local inn-keeper,
Wildeve. (Give summary).
Thomasin and Reddleman essential to the story: The main plot
namely the growth of love between Clym and Eustacia, their marriage,
the conjugal unhappiness of the two and the drowning tragedy follows a
logical course, despite certain flaws. (Describe their love-affair and the role
of these two characters in the main story.
The role of Egdon Heath:  as previously studied
Dramatic Scenes: describe Mrs. Yeobright’s haste towards Thomasin’s
marriage, her death, the Reddleman’s sudden appearance at the game of
dice between Cantle and Wildeve, the bitter quarrel between Eustacia and
Mrs. Yeobright are all the dramatic senses.
Faults and Lapses: The plot construction, however, is not perfect. It
suffers from several flaws. Some of the devices used by Hardy are rather
crude and some of the incidents and accidents are quite unconvincing that
a shrewd woman like Mrs., Yeobright could have trusted a simpleton like
Christian Cantle with a considerable sum of money. It is hard to believe
that luck, at the game of dice, should first favor Wildeve and then the
reddleman. The whole visit of Mrs. Yeobright to her son’s home is quite
unconvincing. Another feature of the novel which could be termed as a fault
is the numerous comments that Hardy makes in the course of the narrative.
These comments are uncalled for and irrelevant.
The role of rustic characters as comic relief: as previously studied.
Hardy’s view of human nature: as previously studied.