How does Hardy interest and engage the reader of The Wessex Tales?

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Uzma Tariq 11Q

English Coursework

How does Hardy interest and engage the reader of The Wessex Tales?

The Wessex Tales is a collection of tales written by Thomas Hardy in 1888. Hardy uses numerous techniques throughout, both which engage and involve the reader in his controversial yet addictive plot lines. Hardy incorporates his many personal experiences and emotions within his tales, thus providing an overall original style of writing.  The stories within The Wessex Tales often end tragically and usually incorporate female characters being wronged or faced with a situation that is deemed immoral. Hardy’s characters are generally “everyday” and quite “common,” but are often placed in difficult and bizarre situations. Such situations are what captivated the imaginations of the Victorian public. Cliffhangers and unforeseen twists led the Victorian public to commend Hardy’s work, despite his taboo plot lines. This was largely because Hardy’s tales were considered new, exciting and pleased the Victorian Public. Hardy bought something new to the literary scene and was therefore highly praised. Most of Hardy’s tales were originally written for publication in monthly magazines; this was an influential factor to Hardy’s style of writing, as it meant that Hardy had to include regular cliffhangers to keep the Victorian public enticed. Hardy also needed to be aware of what the Victorian public demanded. It was imperative for Hardy to maintain the right balance of scandal whilst ensuring the content was socially acceptable and did not offend readers.

One of the many techniques that Hardy incorporates into his writing is cliffhangers.  Hardy does well to develop his characters in the mind of the reader, which makes the reader care for the welfare and future of the characters. It is vital for a cliffhanger ending to be successful; since we care about the characters we feel compelled to read on when the next issue was available. An example of a cliff-hanger used in Hardy’s tales is clearly shown in The Withered Arm. Rhoda says: ”O, can it be...that I exercise a malignant power over people against my own will?” This quotation leaves the reader under the impression that even Rhoda is questioning her own being of a witch; it also suggests that she has no control over the powers she possesses. The fact that even Rhoda herself questions her position as a witch, makes this an exemplary cliffhanger, as nobody knows the truth, not even Rhoda herself.  This would entice the reader to continue in order to find out the truth. In Hardy’s time, this was key as readers would have had to wait for the next issue to be released before they could continue reading, and would thus need techniques like this to be enticed. Similarly In The Melancholy Hussar, mystery and suspense is created through cliffhangers. An example of this is taken from the end of a chapter:”…and she was braced to the obvious risks of the voyage by her confidence in him.” Phyllis is planning to escape with Matthaus, but the quotation questions this motion and whether Phyllis really would leave both her father and Humphrey Gould to take the risk with Matthaus. This technique is also shown in Fellow Townsmen, where Barnet disappears and does not return:”…every vestige of him had disappeared from the precincts of his native place...” This makes the reader question whether Barnet has really gone, and in a sense makes them want to continue reading in hope of discovering the whereabouts of Barnet. Again, in The Distracted preacher, this technique is used to convey suspense and mystery. An example of this is when Lizzy states: “I air and dust them sometimes,” Stockdale is bewildered; however, Lizzy was referring to her husband’s clothes. This quotation can lead to two possibilities; either that Lizzy is mentally ill or that she is trying to hide and cover something up. When Stockdale replies, “Do dead men come out of their graves and walk in the mud?” this convinces the reader that there is something unjust going on, thus enticing them to read further.

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Another technique that Hardy uses is pathetic fallacy; this is where the weather portrayed in a scene is reflecting how a person feels. An example of this is from The Melancholy Hussar where it states”…her white raiment…showing conspicuously in the bright sunlight of this summer day.” This suggests that the weather is reflecting Phyllis’ feelings for Matthaus and that the two are so destined for each other that even the weather is agreeing. This technique is again shown in The Melancholy Hussar: “There came a morning which broke in fog and mist, behind which the dawn could be discerned in greenish ...

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