Via dalla pazza folla di Thomas Hardy: scheda libro

VIA DALLA PAZZA FOLLA DI THOMAS HARDY: SCHEDA LIBRO

Author profile: Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in Upper Bock Hampton; he was educated at local schools and then he began life as an architect.

He wrote his first novel, The Poor Man and the Lady, in 1867. It was not received well. Four years later he wrote three more novels, two anonymously and one bearing his name; they were received slightly better then the first. His popularity and fame did not bloom until the release of his fifth novel, Far From the Madding Crowd.
This novel launched him into the public eye and helped him to become the amazing writer and creator of the Wessex novels, as we know him today.
The major turning point in Hardy's life was the reception of his novel, Jude the Obscure. Because of the major conflict concerning the book and it's readers, Hardy swore to never write fiction again.

Thomas Hardy: vita e opere

VIA DALLA PAZZA FOLLA: SIGNIFICATO TITOLO

In 1928, at the age of eighty-eight, after writing some poetry and short stories, Hardy died and was buried next to Dickens in Westminster Abbey.
First edition: The first edition of this book was published in 1874.
Narrative modes: The book is structured in twelve short chapters. There are lot of dialogue and narrative parts that make the story more flowing and less boring. The description of the facts and the characters results not very detailed.
Narrator: In the text we have an omniscient third person narrator who tells us the course of facts. In this case it is non-obtrusive.
Setting of the story: The actions take place in the 1840's in South-West England, precisely in Weatherbury. Is present a social setting that refers to the social environment in which the story takes place.

VIA DALLA PAZZA FOLLA: PERSONAGGI

Description of the main characters:
•    Bathsheba Everdene: She is the protagonist of the story, the beautiful young woman who had to choose among three different suitors. Initially poor, she soon inherited a big fortune and moved to Weatherbury were she became independent. She represents the dynamic character who changes the way of thinking as a result of the experiences she has.
•    Gabriel Oak: He was a loyal, sensible farmer and shepherd who loved Bathsheba very much. Gabriel was a strong man who was always next to his beloved  especially in the most difficult moments and saved her from the fire. He can be considered a static character.
•    Sergeant Troy: If we have to find an antagonist, we can say he is the only person who mostly resembles to this figure. He was an irresponsible type, a vain Casanova able to let all the women to fall in love with him. Early in the story, Troy got Fanny Robin pregnant and then forgot her to marry the rich Bathsheba.