Woman’s Self-Realisation in the Poetry of Thomas Hardy

TLDR: In this paper, a comprehensive investigation of Thomas Hardy's poetry reveals the doctrines of Existentialism which were new and not common during the 19th century, which is expressed in his poetry through an intense desire to elevate man's status in the world, to secure the transition of man's existence from insignificance to accomplishment and excellence.

Abstract: A comprehensive investigation of Thomas Hardy’s poetry reveals the doctrines of Existentialism which were new and not common during the 19th century. Hardy’s poetry, combining both Modern and Victorian elements, proclaims the emancipation from the fetters of money and religious oriented orthodox heritage. Hardy believes that the struggle for existence is the canon of life and, therefore, human cooperation is a necessity to man’s wellbeing. Though Hardy’s religious beliefs declined, mainly the concepts of divine intervention, absolution, and afterlife, he did not relinquish his faith in the moral principles of the Christian Church. This is expressed in his poetry through an intense desire to elevate man’s status in the world, to secure the transition of man’s existence from insignificance to accomplishment and excellence. The present study examines Hardy’s poetry in the light of the existentialists’ belief that man can achieve supremacy by being conscious of one’s limitations, ethical responsibilities, and duties. The focus of the study is on female characters in Hardy’s poetry, whose elevated consciousness and self-realisation present an ethical model that can assist the development of humanity and improve the world.