Description
Book SynopsisDysfunctional Families in the Wessex Novels of Thomas Hardy examines the diverse portrayals of dysfunctional families in Thomas Hardy''s novels, which are used as a frame of reference for studying socio-historical changes in Victorian England. This work addresses why, in what ways, and to what end Hardy created so many dysfunctional families in the Wessex novels, which focused on the rural artisan stratum of the working class, and how the specific historical and social changes of the times affected them. The research in this book explores how the family, or lack of one, is used as a vehicle for commenting on the changing economic and social situation of people in Victorian England. Investigation reveals many absences in Hardy''s novelsabsences of functioning nuclear families, successful marriages, the birth of children, the establishment of homes, successful business ventures, and traditional gender roles. Something is inherently wrong with Wessex society, and Hardy offers us an imagi
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Fragmented Families of Hardy's Wessex Chapter 3 Marriages Not Made in Heaven Chapter 4 Childlessness in Wessex Chapter 5 Families, Labor, and Business Chapter 6 The Homeless and the Wanderers Chapter 7 Gender Roles and Alternate Models of Sexuality Chapter 8 Conclusion Chapter 9 Appendix A Chapter 10 Appendix B Chapter 11 Notes Chapter 12 Bibliography Chapter 13 Index
