Show how the social, cultural and historical contexts of the early 19th century, as revealed in Hardy's short stories, contribute to the 'reality' and effectiveness of the characters and the events he creates.

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Nicola Kellie: 4089

English Literature

Horwich St. Josephs: 32159

February 2003

‘ The Withered Arm’ and other stories

        Show how the social, cultural and historical contexts of the early 19th century, as revealed in Hardy’s short stories, contribute to the ‘reality’ and effectiveness of the characters and the events he creates.

        The social, cultural and historical contexts of the early 19th century contribute to the ‘reality’ and effectiveness of the characters and events that Thomas Hardy created in many of his stories.

        For example in ‘The Withered Arm’ the hangings would be classed as a social event. In the story Hardy makes it seem like they were a family day out. He explains how there would be huge crowds turning up to watch. People would also buy souvenirs.

        There was lots of superstition in the village and there were also different classes, for example; working class and upper class. The different classes often didn’t get on very well. These are social points. Also, another social point is that the farmer’s wife would go out and give charity; she would help the poor and the needy.

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        Some historical points would be the tools that were used on the farm and all the cows were milked by hand. Hardy writes, ‘When the milking was done they washed their pails and hung them on a many-forked stand made as usual of the peeled limb of an oak-tree, set upright in the earth, and resembling an colossal antlered horn.’ Also, the clothes worn were historical references, you would often have seen them wearing smocks around this period and Hardy describes this in his story.

        In ‘The Son’s Veto’ (‘Veto’ meaning ‘Forbid’ in Latin) there were different classes, for ...

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