Title: Hardy's Attitude towards Modern Civilization with Reference to His Major Novels
Abstract: IntroductionThis present research investigates Hardy's attitude towards modern civilization with reference to his major novels. Modern civilization is a term which connotes a system and stage of social development of recent or latest times. With reference to Hardy's work, term means same. According to Supple, ...modernization is a never-ending process. Yet it had a beginning; and Victorian Britain where it began. The Eminent Victorians were first of moderns (Supple, 1978). Living at a time when Victorian Age transitioning into Modern, Hardy witnessed great events transforming English rural society into modern one. Douglas Brown in William's book Thomas Hardy and Rural England (1912) calls this, the contemporary agricultural tragedy ... (Brown, 1972). In nineteenth century scientific discoveries and inventions rapidly altered manners, ideas and even landscapes. Rapid transformation in every phase of life made every one hopeful about prosperous future. English workingmen hoped that scientific progress would bring in a new age. Hardy, in his work, exposes his attitude towards modern civilization and impact of Industrial Revolution on society in general and on man in particular. In Hardy's novels we find a shift from Victorian to modern.19th Century and ModernisationModernization, a complex and worldwide phenomenon, transforms traditional social set up into new one. It is an indistinct process which tries to find discrepancy between non-modern and modern. As a revolutionary force this process, bringing about transition, improves all spheres of life. According to Welch, Jr. in nineteenth century, influenced by wave of modernization, Man came to believe for first time that it would be possible to rearrange society on rational principles...All these social, economic, political and cultural revolutions helped to break 'the cake of custom' of traditional society, and to create our modern world of incessant change and innovation and of enduring achievements (Welch, Jr, 1967). The nineteenth century novelists focused upon social issues, technological advancements, psychological disarray, etc. In this regard Jesse Matz in The Modern Novel: A Short Introduction states that, ...what it means for a novel to be modern. It means facing problems and possibilities of modernity - technological wonders, social disorder, psychological mysteries, pattern of change - and making them fiction's main challenge and inspiration (Matz, 2004).The nineteenth century one of richest periods in history of English Literature. It a period of rapid progress in field of science and literature. The Victorian Age greatly influenced by Industrial Revolution which altered countenance of England. The mega event of industrialization caused turmoil in rural society of nineteenth century. To Welch, Jr. (1967), Industrial Revolution, was an equally profound and the revolution of modernization now affects almost all parts of globe and may have equally great consequences.Hardy and Modern CivilisationHardy is an eye witness to impact of Industrial Revolution, harbinger of modern civilization, its dual consequences both positive and negative that changed entire social set up, resulting in polarization of rich and poor. Industrial Revolution a revolution of multidimensional consequences. It drastically transformed countenance of Britain and dramatic changes emerged on socio-economic scenario in Britain. Hardy, often, gives explicit references to awfully changing aura in his novels. In Far From Madding Crowd, he comments, ...How faces of nation alter, and what we live to see now a days... (Hardy, 1874).Rapid transition in every phase of life made everyone hopeful about prosperous future. Under effect of industrialization attraction to cities and growth of factories and machines occurred. …
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-04-01
Language: en
Type: article
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