Hardy introduces setting at the opening line of each story, to create a motif, “Many years ago” and “It was an eighty cow diary”. This reveals that setting is obviously integral to the development of both stories. The withered arm is a very rural scene while the thieves who could help sneezing is an forest type theme
In the Thieves who couldn’t Help Sneezing, Hardy uses personification to intrigue the reader,” Were about as large as elderly gentlemen’s walking sticks”. This literary technique gives the audience a visual aid of the scene, challenging them to be “a part of the story”. A metaphor is used “as large as elderly walking sticks”. The writer uses this technique to intrigue the reader and give them a visual aid of this opening line, to capture their imagination. A forest motif might have been created with a secluded are surrounding it, a perfect scene for thieves to hide out
The language and setting is very important in “The Withered Arm” as many colloquial words in the story such as “lorn” and “wellnigh” are not commonly used in the writing today so help set a date to the story. Because Hardy was brought up in Dorset and the people in the villages there spoke their own dialect some of the words used in the story also help set a place to the time and setting. Personification is used to startle the reader, “the voice seemed to proceed from the belly of a cow called Cherry”. This technique is used once again, “so warm that the purr of the milk streams become jerky” this indicates the rural traditions and themes. Hardy also uses detailed description and pathetic fallacy to make the weather, scene and the mood or atmosphere interlink. E.g. Rhoda and Gertrude are traveling to see Conjurer Trendle Rhoda is apprehensive and thinks something bad is going to happen. The weather echoes this,” Thick clouds made the atmosphere dark, the wind howled dismally”. This reveals that the mood in this place is very depressing and dull. Hardy’s choice of words also makes a crucial impact on the atmosphere the story creates. Homlestoke is a very rural, tranquil place. The existence of the characters revolves around village and farm-life. This is evident in the descriptive detail of the setting:” It was an eight cow diary”, “Farmers walk their horses up this short incline” and “It was too dark in the distance so many people avoided entering”.
This highlights how much Hardy exaggerates setting, maybe to show this as a motif in the story. I think the Characters and atmosphere are linked for instance at the home of the Conjuror Trendle, the atmosphere is ghastly and superstitious with quotes like “Apothecary messes” to prove this. If he does not describe the scenes well, readers will not get into the story, as they cannot imagine themselves in the book. He uses adjectives very well throughout ‘The story, if he did not do this the story would become very boring. Good examples of his use of adjectives are when he describes Gertrude. Hardy calls Gertrude, ‘Soft and evanescent, like the light under a heap of rose-petals’, if he had just said pretty it would have meant the same thing but not have created the same atmosphere.
Words to describe the setting in the conjurors Trendle are Secluded, Hermit, and part of an occult. With black magic and voodoo around at this time the world of witchcraft and wizardry was a hobby, most likely in the company of lonely, marginalized communities. In Casterbridge, the symbol of Death is the main motif. Ironically this is where Rhoda Brooke’s son is hanged, for his innocence? Description of the main market town evokes a different idea of setting in the Victorian short story: “Casterbridge market was unknown”, “this town was in opposite direction of Homlestoke” .This reveals a sense of mystery and deceit and as the story comes to a climax, a death defying ending shows. Setting plays an important role in the success of Hardy’s stories. In the thieves who couldn’t stop sneezing, Hardy’s style of writing gives this an eye catching effect forcing the reader to read on.
The Winters & the Palmleys, In Victorian times women only truly married for money and wealth so obviously class was imperative for a satisfied life. Women seemed to be treated unfairly as men had more rights back then. Nathalie had chosen the right person. “And she liked and required the entourage which wealth could give her”. The setting in this story is confusing and maybe related to mental health? “It was still quite light outdoors but inside the curtains were drawn”. This reveals a fear of outside or maybe schizophrenia.
To conclude my essay I would like to point out the fact that Hardy’s advantage really give him an edge for his novels as his background revolved around it, his personal anecdotes helped him through. This shows great expertise as a writer and poet.