2. The Literature Review

2.1 General Statement

   Hardy once calls his own novels “the novels of personality and environment”. Later, the researchers also pay much attention to the psychological aspect of the novels in their studies of Hardy. This becomes a great characteristic when researching Hardy and his works. And it is with no exception in the nearly 30 years. 

 Hardy, living in the intersection of two periods: traditional civilization and modern civilization, experiences a painful process from the firmness of the social beliefs to suspicion and then to rebellion in his lifetime. In that era, social cultures are unsteady and changeable. Influenced by a variety of cultural values, Hardy shows his paradox of thoughts in his novel here and there. He accepts the new ideas of liberty and equality but fails to get rid of the bondage of traditional cultures. He longs for god but actually doesn’t believe in god. He is infatuated with traditionally rural civilization but hates the deficiency of the culture as well. 

Thus it is not easy to completely master the development track of Hardy’s religious and social thoughts. About the evaluation of Hardy himself, different people have different opinions. Victorian poet Swinburne pointed out in the letter to Hardy that he was "the most tragic writer". (Pines, 2006:78) However, English writer D .H. Lawrence said that there existed two Hardys: a pessimistic and disappointed one and an optimistic and vigorous one. (Pines, 2006:89) The critic Chesterton said in his sonnet that Hardy didn't believe in god, but also he hated that god didn’t exist. (Stave, 1995:67) And the two feelings were both in Hardy’s mind to make him entangled and depressed. In this novel, tension of paradox, like the conflicts between modern thoughts and traditional values, ideals and reality, shows everywhere throughout the whole book. And it is also a reflection of Hardy’s own paradox in his life. So it will become a great charm and necessity to do a thorough study.