On Hardy's Creative Thoughts From His Works

Thomas Hardy has been dead for almost eighty years, but his works are spreaded widely and loved deeply by the readers. However, critics hold different views towards Hardy and his works. The tragic fate of the heroes and heroines in his novels makes many critics think that pessimistic philosophy runs through all his novels, Hardy is a 'pessimistic fatalist'.However, is Hardy's philosophy of life really pessimistic? Do his works only make us feel disheartened towards life? This thesis tries to discuss Hardy's ideas guiding artistic or literary creation in the following three respects:Hardy's view on tragedy The theme of Hardy's works always deals with the tragic fate of people. But, being a writer of tragedy doesn't mean being a pessimistic fatalist. Hardy thought, "If way to the better there be, it exacts a full look at the worst." In the 1800s, Britain was in the lead of the western countries. However, Hardy kept calm in the face of the superficial prosperity. He not only saw the miserable, bitter life of the country people, but also saw the empty and meaningless life of the society. Hardy faced the reality with courage, and reflected this reality in his works. He is a real realist, not a pessimistic fatalist. Hardy's purposes and motives for his literary creation are to motivate our desire and determination to change the reality. Thus, how should we comprehend these tragic heroes and heroines? Can we find the positive social significance from them? The Mayor of Casterbridge centers around the fate of Henchard. Henchard is rather raw and tough in manner, capricious in mood, and unrestrained in emotion. In describing the mayor as such, Hardy seems to suggest that Henchard's is mainly a self-wrought tragedy of the will. Although Hardy stresses on the factor of character when he describes Henchard's tragedy, he doesn't overlook the social environment that leads to the tragedy. The basic reason of Henchard's tragedy lies in his economic bankruptcy and his bankruptcy is the inevitable result of the social development in Britain at the time. According to the above analysis, can we still regard Hardy as a pessimistic fatalist? From his works, we can see that Hardy is clearly aware that such factors as times, social environment and man himself set limitation on human's behavior. Man doesn't have absolute freedom to choose his own behavior, he is always influenced by various regulations, which is one of the reasons why he creates tragedies.Hardy cherishes a great wish for the future, his wish derives from the belief of humanism and brotherhood. Thus, we can't accept the statement that Hardy is a pessimistic fatalist.Hardy's view on human nature Hardy's works are the odes of human nature. He affirms the beauty and kindness of human nature and encourages people to pursue truth, kindness, beauty and happiness of life bravely. From this point of view, it is unreasonable to label Hardy as a pessimistic fatalist. Hardy accuses the social reality of the unfairness, but he holds an approval attitude towards the heroes and heroines in his novels. Although there are various kinds of weaknesses of human nature itself, but it is fantastic. Eustacia, the heroine of The Return of the Native, married Clym, to a great degree, expecting him to take her to Paris---the heaven in her mind. Maybe some people will criticize her blindness and irresponsibility, but we should praise her pursuit of happiness of life, and her courage and determination of self-realization. In Hardy's eyes, this is the natural demand of life, this is the real expression of human nature. So, we say, Hardy loves life, respects human nature, he is a writer with advanced ideas, he shows open rejection to the conventional concept and consciousness. Hardy's works also reflects the stupidity of human nature. Human nature is not perfect. For example, Jude and Sue were looked down upon publicly by the society and its people. From this we can see the stupidity of human nature. But Hardy believe...