NOVELS OF THOMAS HARDY: THE PORTRAYAL OF CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract

Thomas Hardy is a popular novelist who has attracted the attention of many readers and critics over a century. As in the case of any great writer, new perspectives have continually opened up, throwing fresh light on several hither to unrecognized and unexplored aspects. The most important aspects of Hardy’s novels are the tragic content and the portrayal of characterization. This article discusses closely on Hardy’s portrayal of characters in general and his intuitive insight into the feminine characters in particular. Besides, it emphasizes the tragic richness in the major characters of Gabriel Oak, Henchard, Jude and Tess. Besides, it studies Hardy’s special categorization of men and women, his great admiration for the good people, his influence of classical drama and Shakespearean tragedy, the significance of the opening pages, the impact of love on men and women, the influence of Nature and the comparative study of the central characters of The Mayor and Jude.