Discuss how Hardy introduces the characters of the three women, how their fates are intertwined and what importance they have in the rest of the novel.

        Thomasin Yeobright is a gentle woman who feels comfortable in a conventional and traditional way of life; she is Mrs. Yeobright’s niece and Clym’s cousin. She is first introduced to us, again, unnamed, in chapter two as the mysterious girl in the back of the reddleman’s van. ““You have a child in there, my man?” “No, sir, I have a woman.”” In chapter four a brief physical description of her is given which is somewhat poetic, however, Hardy was attracted to Eustacia, and his description of her is by far more sensual than that of Thomasin, “It was a fair, sweet, and honest country face, reposing in a nest of chestnut hair. It was between pretty and beautiful.” We learn early on in the novel that her reputation has been placed in jeopardy by Damon Wildeve, but also that she has people, Mrs. Yeobright and Diggory Venn, who are more than willing to help her out of her situation.

        Mrs. Yeobright is a well known and respected widow, who has a lot of convictions, and the courage to state them. She is first introduced to the reader when her objection to Thomasin and Damon’s marriage is being discussed by a pair of the locals, who act as narrators/a Greek chorus, “Ever since her aunt altered her mind, and said she might hae the man after all,”. We learn that her, what may seem, interfering ways are generally motivated by her interest and genuine concern for her nieces happiness and well being.        

        Throughout the novel Hardy plays God, this stunts the characters personal development but means that their destiny’s are pre ordained and can effectively be knotted at the authors will. Each of the three women’s actions and choices has an undulating effect on the lives and situations of the other two, as well as the other characters in the book. Thomasin’s quandary at the start of the novel is a direct result of Eustacia’s craving to be an object of Wildeve’s desire; Wildeve’s desire for Eustacia is a partial result of Mrs. Yeobright posing as an obstacle between him and Thomasin, in effect driving him towards the woman who is responsible for Thomasin’s predicament. Mrs. Yeobright, again, lets her objections be known when Eustacia marries her son Clym, and subsequently Eustacia does not answer the door to her when she visits their home, eventually resulting in her own death, and in part leaving her blood on Eustacia’s hands. The fact that Thomasin is not ‘adequate’ for Damon means he becomes involved with Eustacia, which results in her eventually attempting to leave with him, and her consequential death, as well as Wildeve being given the opportunity to eulogize Eustacia at every chance, thus stunting her personality even further, and maybe contributing to her eventual ruin.

        The characters of each of the three women are vital to the novel as each of their actions provoke reactions from the other characters, giving the reader powerful insights into the books subjects. The character of Mrs. Yeobright helps to represent the type of woman that may have been found in a small community such as Egdon in a pre-industrial state, as well as helping the reader to distinguish between interference and encouragement. The character of Eustacia contributes towards the theme of outsiders in the novel, as well as being a tool for Hardy to incorporate his skill as a poet. The character of Thomasin donates a sense of integrity and survival. Hardy incorporates the diverse personalities of these women into his novel with great simplicity and effect, carefully and successfully interlinking their lives and destinies.