Abstract

Far from the Madding Crowd is Hardy’s forth published novel and the first work that proved to be a success. In this work, Hardy discusses characters living in the countryside and events taking place “far from the madding crowd”, that is, the industrialized or capitalized world. By such a setting, readers expect to see simplicity of the rural world. However, the opposite is the case. Though the story has a happy ending, the tragic atmosphere still outweighs the comic one. Complex relationships are described. The ups and downs of the plots present many tragic conflicts and produce strong tragic effects which are the main field to be explored in this thesis.

Keywords: Thomas Hardy; Far from the Madding Crowd; tragic effect; alienation; conflicts

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Literature Review-1

1.1 Definition of Tragedy and Its Forms-1

1.2 Hardy’s Perspective about Modern Life-1

1.3 Hardy’s Explorations of Tragedy Writting-2

2. Major Conflicts in the Novel-3

2.1 Environmental Conflicts in Wetherbury Land-3

2.1.1 New Orders and Old Orders-3

2.1.2 Environment and Modern Characters-3

2.2 Personal Conflicts in Weatherbury Land-5

2.2.1 A Modern Woman——Bathsheba Everdene’s Sense and Sensibility-5

2.2.2 A Modern Prodigal——Sergeant Troy’s Love and Lust-6

2.2.3 A Modern Schizophrenia——William Boldwood’s Oppression and Burst-6

3 Tragic Effects Embodied in the Conclicts-8

3.1. Emotional Shock——Fear and Pity-8

3.2 Emotional Output——Vitality-8

4. Conclusion-10

References-11