Showing results by author "Thomas Hardy" in All Categories

November - the 11th month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, when the land becomes bleaker, harsher but no less beautiful for that. For our poets, including Hood, Arnold, Melville, Alford, and Hardy, there is much to write and comment on.

Death is a subject that few of us talk about, but many think about and more than a few of us dread. Whether it is the actual end of our life’s journey or merely a transit point to heavenly glory, its actual point of impact is, obviously, life-changing. But what do poets think of it? How do their minds tangle with the subject and make sense of this? That’s what we wondered too. Poets as rich and diverse as Tennyson, Hardy, Shelley, and Poe here share their words, thoughts and visions with us.

October - the tenth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, and the land prepares to give up more it its colourful coverings. On this and other themes, our poets, including Wordsworth, Rossetti, Arnold, Bryant, and Alford, have much to say.

Bathsheba Everdene's three wooers, the faithful Gabriel Oak, the passionate William Boldwood and the adventurer Sergeant Troy, eventually cause madness and murder in this fatalistic novel. Hardy's writing is full of beautiful descriptions and deep wisdom.

A collection of Thomas Hardy's poetry and fiction.

The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), subtitled "The Life and Death of a Man of Character", is a tragic novel by British author Thomas Hardy. It is set in the fictional town of Casterbridge (based on the town of Dorchester in Dorset). This dramatic performance is by the NBC University Theatre.

This volume of poetry brings together poems throughout history with very special women. The relationship with our Mother is one of the most powerful many of us will ever feel. It rivals those with our children and partners in a way that both permeates and challenges how and on what terms we live our lives. A woman giving birth is not only bringing life into the World, she is doing so, usually, at great pain to herself.

Thomas Hardy's novel about a British farm girl and her effect on the men who fall in love with her is read by Julie Christie. This rebellious young woman finds her affections a cause for competition between a soldier, a wealthy landowner, and a modest sheep farmer.

Fjernt fra verdens vrimmel er historien om den smukke Bathsheba Everdene. Drevet af en stærk vilje til selvstændighed beslutter hun sig for selv at drive et gods, hun arver. Som godsejer bliver hun det skæbnesvangre omdrejningspunkt for tre mænd, der på forskellig vis kommer ind i hendes liv som hendes bejlere: Den ensomme nabo William Boldwood, den trofaste fårehyrde Gabriel Oak og den forførende sergent Francis Troy.

Young, attractive and impetuous, Bathsheba has inherited a farm and is determined to be as independent as possible. Her natural beauty is a magnet for men; how will she choose between them? Gabriel Oak is a young farmer, just set up in business with his own flock of sheep. He meets Bathsheba and falls in love with her, but she turns him down. He has to stand by and watch while the woman he loves is courted by others, first by William Boldwood, much older than Bathsheba; then by Sergeant Troy, young, handsome and reckless.

When the wind blows and the rain lashes, our emotions can become dulled and our thoughts depressed but sometimes these swirling conditions can excite and invigorate. Whether we shut the door physically or delight in watching nature's displays, we cannot ignore the weather. It’s the natural topic of conversation for the British. Summer breezes and spring showers can elevate our senses, bringing a thump to the heart, a grin to the face and an abandon to immerse yourself in nature's ever changing wonders.

Our greatest fears are of the unknown. Usually we think those fears are in front of us...or behind us. But perhaps the human body itself holds the greatest horror. What happens after death? Do our bodies have a new existence either in whole...or part? Will others seek to claim them and do unspeakable things? We don’t know. But our authors do. And they have the talents and wits to make these diabolical stories vehicles for horror, for terror, for the unimaginable....

Victoria’s reign was long and presided over the restless expansion of the British Empire and reams of creative genius. Within these volumes we can bring only a glimpse of the richness, beauty and words of the poets and their musings on this remarkable age. Many are world-renowned - Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Kipling, Austin, Hopkins, Hardy and Swinburne. Some are almost forgotten - Patmore, Newbolt, Synge. And some are barely noted - Lyall, Meynell and Merdeith. But together they encompass a great poetical age.

Jude the Obscure is Thomas Hardys poignant final novel, originally serialized in magazines before its book release in 1895. The story follows Jude Fawley, a lower-class young man with aspirations of becoming a scholar. He navigates a tumultuous life intertwined with his earthy wife, Arabella, and his intellectual cousin, Sue. This compelling narrative explores deep themes such as class struggle, the pursuit of knowledge, the complexities of marriage, and the shifting landscape of society and belief.

At just eleven years old, Jude Fawley is inspired by his teacher, Mr. Phillotson, who leaves their small village of Marygreen to pursue a university degree in Christminster. Determined to follow in his footsteps, Jude studies diligently with the help of old Latin and Greek texts gifted by his mentor. He trains as a stonemason to support himself while striving for higher education. However, upon arriving in Christminster, he quickly realizes that opportunities are scarce for someone of his humble background. As he falls in love with his cousin Sue Bridehead, Judes life becomes a tumultuous ...

Cytherea Graye is a young woman caught in a web of desire and obligation. Struggling with poverty, she takes a job as a ladys maid to the enigmatic Miss Aldclyffe, the very woman her father once loved. While Cytherea harbors feelings for the talented architect Edward Springrove, she faces daunting challenges Miss Aldclyffes manipulations, Edward’s engagement to another, and the pressing need to care for her ill brother. As the pressure mounts, will Cytherea surrender to the advances of the wealthy Aeneas Manston, or will she cling to her hopes for true love? The battle between passion and ...

Thomas Hardys Far from the Madding Crowd (1874) is a captivating exploration of English rural life, infused with the authors signature touch for tragedy. Originally published anonymously as a monthly magazine serial, it quickly garnered both a devoted readership and critical acclaim. Virginia Woolf praised it as a masterpiece, noting the perfect blend of character and setting that brings to life the essence of its time. This novel is often seen as an early work of feminist literature, featuring the strong-willed Bathsheba Everdene, who defies societal norms by running her own farm. While her ...

In Laodicean, we meet Paula Power, a woman whose religious beliefs are as lukewarm as her namesake. Determined to breathe new life into the ancient De Stancy castle she has purchased, Paula connects the historic site to modern technology, including the telegraph, which she utilizes throughout her journey. Enter George Somerset, a young architect vying for the chance to restore the castle and who quickly finds himself captivated by Paula. However, complications arise when the aristocratic family’s scheming brother, along with his nefarious illegitimate son, sets his sights on winning Paulas ...

Tess of the dUrbervilles, subtitled A Pure Woman, follows the poignant journey of Tess Durbeyfield, a young working-class woman whose life takes a dramatic turn when her father urges her to seek out her wealthy relatives. Her fateful encounter with the charming yet dangerous Alec dUrberville sets off a chain of events that lead to unforeseen consequences, ultimately sealing her tragic destiny. (Summary by Alisson Veldhuis) Files edited by TriciaG & Cody Russell

Dive into the fascinating world of our county families, where seemingly dry genealogical charts come to life with rich stories and hidden dramas. With just a hint of tradition and whispers of the past, these pedigrees transform from mere facts into captivating tales full of intrigue and emotion. Most of the stories that follow have been crafted from these once-barren records, revealing the vibrant histories that lie beneath the surface.