The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
"The Return of the Native" by Thomas Hardy is a novel written in the late 19th century (Victorian era). The story is set against the backdrop of the somber and mysterious Egdon Heath, exploring themes of love, despair, and human connection within a deeply rural and reflective setting. The central figures introduced in the beginning include the old, bowed man who walks along the heath and the reddleman, a character marked by
his unusual profession and the mystery surrounding his travels, suggesting a connection to the fate of a woman named Thomasin. The opening of the novel paints a vivid picture of Egdon Heath during twilight, reflecting the deep emotional landscape that will be explored throughout the narrative. The old man, observed traversing the desolate heath, meets the reddleman, who carries a secret involving a young woman in his van. Through their dialogue, we learn that the young woman has fled from a troubling situation, hinting at the complexities of relationships at play. As the heath comes alive with the preparations for Bonfire Night, social conversations weave in tidbits about love, marriage, and the characters of the community, laying the groundwork for the tensions and dramas that will unfold in this captivating tale. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Return of the Native |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_the_Native |
| Note | Reading ease score: 80.1 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Credits | John Hamm and David Widger |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Adultery -- Fiction |
| Subject | Didactic fiction |
| Subject | Love stories |
| Subject | Mate selection -- Fiction |
| Subject | Wessex (England) -- Fiction |
| Subject | Mothers and sons -- Fiction |
| Subject | People with visual disabilities -- Fiction |
| Subject | Heathlands -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 122 |
| Release Date | Mar 8, 2006 |
| Most Recently Updated | Mar 31, 2021 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1656 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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