Short fiction of Thomas Hardy: an exploration and assessment

Hardy's novels and poetry have received extensive criticism, in due proportion to their merit. Hardy's short stories, however, have been virtually excluded from the annals of Hardy criticism, even though Hardy wrote over forty short stories, several of which are truly outstanding. In part, the reason for this neglect is because of the neglected state of the short story in Victorian England. Short fiction, published mainly only in periodicals and never collected in volume form, was obscured to a large extent by the highly popular serial novel. This thesis examines Thomas Hardy's short stories in the context of both the Victorian period and the Victorian short story genre, and explores the ways in which Thomas Hardy improved upon and deviated from some of the common types of short fiction being written in his day.

Only thin smoke without flame

Hardy's short stories have been relatively neglected by critics. This thesis argues for their reconsideration and proper recognition as essential components of Hardy's achievement. Examines his creation of a fictional "Wessex" with himself as conservator, but suggests that their subversive ideologies touching on modern themes, make him a "proto-modern" writer.

The works of Thomas Hardy in prose and verse,

"Wessex edition."

The writings of Thomas Hardy in prose and verse

III. Novels of ingenuity: v. 14. Desperate remedies.--v. 15. The hand of Ethelberta.--v. 16. A Laodicean.--v. 17. A changed man, [The waiting supper, and other tales: concluding with the Romantic adventures of a milk-maid] Poetical works.--v. 18. Wessex poems and other verses; poems of the past and the present.--v. 19. The Dynasts; parts 1st and 2d.--v. 20. The Dynasts, part 3d. Time's laughingstocks.--v. 21. Satires of circumstance; Moments of vision and Miscellaneous verses.

Time's laughingstocks, and other verses, by Thomas Hardy.

Mode of access: Internet.

Thomas Hardy, poet & novelist,

"Published, April, 1928. New and cheaper edition, April, 1929."

Thomas Hardy, poet & novelist

Bibliography: p. [185]-196.

Thomas Hardy,

"First published in 1916."

Thomas Hardy,

"First published in 1916."

Essai de critique, Thomas Hardy, penseur et artiste ...

"Achevé d'imprimer ... par 'The St. Catherine press ltd.' ... Bruges, Belgique."

Die Romankunst von Thomas Hardy

Cover title.

A bibliography of the works of Thomas Hardy, 1865-1915 /

Includes index.

Thomas Hardy; a study of the Wessex novels,

On verso of t.-p.: University of Manchester publications, no. CV.

The trumpet-major, John Loveday : a soldier in the war with Buonaparte, and Robert his brother, first mate in the merchant service : a tale /

Mode of access: Internet.