The Hand of Ethelberta (eBook)

Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) was an eminent English novelist and poet who made significant contributions to the literary world with his profound depiction of rural society and the human condition. Born in the county of Dorset, Hardy's works are deeply entrenched in the semi-fictional region of Wessex; drawing from the rustic landscapes and customs, which serve as a recurrent backdrop for his intricate characters and narratives. His novel 'The Hand of Ethelberta' (1876), a somewhat satirical comedy of manners unlike his typically more pessimistic works, illustrates Hardy's versatility and explores themes of social mobility and the role of women in Victorian society. Hardy is better known for his tragic novels, which include 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' (1891) and 'Jude the Obscure' (1895), both of which critique and challenge the social mores of his time. His literary style is characterized by its intricate portrayal of human emotions, a fatalistic view of life, and detailed evocations of the natural world. Hardy's legacy endures through his ability to capture the universal struggles of existence within the microcosm of rural England, making him a pioneer of psychological realism and a forerunner to modernist literature. He was also a poet of note, further cementing his status as a multifaceted writer within the annals of English literature.