How Hardy's Plot Creates a Sense of Fate and Struggle in The Return of the Native

How Hardy's Plot Creates a Sense of Fate and Struggle in The Return of the Native

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was a renowned poet and novelist of the 19th century, best known for his semi-fictional works. Living an isolated life surrounded by nature, he found inspiration in the joys and sorrows of rural existence. Influenced by his upbringing and personal experiences, Hardy produced numerous masterpieces, including notable poems such as "The Darkling Thrush," "Neutral Tones," "The Convergence of the Twain," "The Man He Killed," "The Voice," and "The Ruined Maid." Additionally, his novels, such as The Poor Man and The Lady, Under the Greenwood Tree, Jude the Obscure, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and The Return of the Native, solidified his literary legacy.

 Hardy's plot in The Return of the Native demonstrates his mastery of creating complex and tragic situations that reflect the harsh realities of rural life and human nature. He uses complications, coincidences, and accidents to create tension and conflict in the story, and how he uses the setting of Wessex to contrast the natural beauty and the human misery that occurs there. This will show how his plot contributes to his themes, messages, and style, and how he creates a unique voice and a sense of fate and struggle in his novel.

One of the features of Hardy's plot in The Return of the Native is its use of complications and coincidences that increase the tension and conflict in the story. The plot follows a well-planned design, with Clym's return serving as the catalyst for the ensuing action. Complications arise from the conflicts between the characters and their desires, leading to several crises and tragedies. For example, Clym's rejection of Thomasin and his attraction to Eustacia cause his mother's disapproval and resentment. Eustacia's ambition and dissatisfaction with her marriage to Wildeve lead her to rekindle her affair with him and plan to elope. Thomasin's marriage to Wildeve and her inheritance of money create jealousy and suspicion in Eustacia. These complications create a web of relationships that are fraught with misunderstanding, betrayal, and guilt.

Another feature of Hardy's plot is its reliance on the role of fate and chance, which create unexpected twists and turns in the story. Many events in the plot are influenced by fortuitous events or accidents that have significant consequences for the characters. For example, Clym's loss of vision prevents him from pursuing his career as a teacher and forces him to become a furze-cutter. Christian Cantle's gambling incident resulted in the loss and recovery of money intended for Thomasin and Clym. Mrs. Yeobright's visit to Clym's house coincides with Eustacia's absence, leading to her being denied entry and bitten by a snake. Eustacia's accidental fall into the river prompts both Wildeve and Clym to jump in to save her. Diggory Venn's presence at various moments enables him to intervene or witness crucial events. These events show how Hardy uses fate and chance to shape the destiny of his characters, often in tragic ways.

A third feature of Hardy's plot is its use of the setting of Wessex as a contrast between the natural beauty and the human misery that occurs there. Wessex is a rural region of hills, tundra, and forests, inhabited by mostly illiterate individuals with no aspirations or concern for their territory. Their reasoning is guided by emotion rather than logic, and despite their troubles, they harbor no resentment toward God. They view life as an ongoing struggle until the arrival of death's cold shadow. This sentiment is not their philosophy; it is their way of life. Hardy describes Wessex in mesmerizing detail, untouched by the intrusion of fame, timeless in its glory and antiquity. However, he also shows how Wessex is a harsh and unforgiving place for its inhabitants, who face poverty, isolation, ignorance, superstition, and prejudice. Wessex is both a source of inspiration and a source of oppression for Hardy's characters.

Hardy's plot in The Return of the Native shows his pessimistic view of life as a struggle against fate and society. He portrays his characters as victims of their circumstances, passions, and choices, who are unable to escape their tragic destinies. He also creates a unique voice and style that distinguishes him from other novelists. His plot is a remarkable example of his craftsmanship and artistry, and it deserves further attention and appreciation from readers and critics alike.

In conclusion,  Hardy's plot in The Return of the Native demonstrates his mastery of creating complex and tragic situations that reflect the harsh realities of rural life and human nature. Hardy shows that how he uses complications, coincidences, and accidents to create tension and conflict in the story, and how he uses the setting of Wessex to contrast the natural beauty and the human misery that occurs there. He also shows how his plot contributes to his themes, messages, and style, and how he creates a unique voice and a sense of fate and struggle in his novel. Hardy's plot is a remarkable example of his craftsmanship and artistry, and it deserves further attention and appreciation from readers and critics alike.