A Paradoxical Pastoral Novel: On the Rural Writing in Under the Greenwood Tree

ZOU Wenxin

Hunan Normal University

Page 142-154

Abstract: Under the Greenwood Tree is Thomas Hardy’s first novel entirely focused on rural life, marking a shift towards rural writing in his literary career. This novel not only reflects his keen awareness of the literary market but also demonstrates his unique understanding of rural issues. It extensively employs pastoral elements in both its content and form, while also striving to truthfully depict the internal changes within rural society, thus skillfully balancing pastoral style with Victorian realism. However, Hardy’s selective portrayal of rural internal changes and rustic characters in the novel indicates a stylistic paradox: while attempting to adhere to the pastoral style in handling rural subject matters, he shows an uncontrollable deviation from it. By analyzing Hardy’s response to the literary market and his portrayal of rural society, this article explores Hardy’s ambiguous writing stance in addressing rural themes and his complex attitude toward the rural–urban relationship during a period of social transformation, which constitute one of the core issues in his later rural-themed novels.

Keywords: Thomas Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree, the pastoral, rural writing

DOI: 10.53397/hunnu.jflc.202601011

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