The Self-Preservation Of The Hardy Country In The Return Of The Native

This thesis sets out to prove that the Hardy country in The Return of the Native embodiespowerful forces that enable it to preserve the traditional way of life. This preserving capabilityof the country is functioned through the environment of the country, mainly the Egdon Heath,the heathmen and the folkways there, for these comprise the country. And their forces arefunctioned by interfering in the lives of the characters in the novel consciously orunconsciously.Although the novel is supposed to set in the 1840s, actually it was written in the1870swhen the English agriculture experienced considerable decline. Hardy in this novel preservesthe traditional culture of Dorset villages imaginatively through recreation of that disappearingenvironment and way of life. In The Return of the Native, the characters are Clym, Eustacia, Wildeve, Thomasin,Venn, Mrs. Yeobright and the heathmen. The Egdon Heath plays such a crucial role in thenovel and it has an uncontrollable life force. All the main characters are woven with it.Eustacia is supposed to be the harmonious component of the heath, but her hatred towards theheath and her determination to leave contribute to her death as a punishment. Clym as thenative returning to the heath can find his happiness. But as he aims to change the heathmenthrough education in the town, he loses his peace and gets his punishment. Thomasin andVenn have strong sense of attachment to the country and deserve the happy ending.The heathmen are full of vitality and sincerity and are part of the country. Consciously orunconsciously they interfere with the development of the main characters' lives. Without themthere would be no country at all.The superstition (magic, witchcraft) and folk customs (country-dances, festivals) are alsothe indispensable part of the country. The main characters would not be thus (the three deaths)without the influence of the folkways. And they safeguard the traditional way of life in thecountry.Based on the above analysis, a conclusion can be drawn that the country does embodythe self-preserving forces to maintain the traditional way of life.