Existential Interpretations of Nature In Thomas Hardy's The Return Of The Native And The Woodlanders

Abstract

This paper explores Thomas Hardy's existential interpretations of nature in The Return of the Native and The Woodlanders. In these novels, nature functions as more than a mere setting; it plays a pivotal role as an indifferent, often hostile force that shapes human destiny. Through the landscapes of Egdon Heath and the woodlands, Hardy reflects existential themes of isolation, alienation and the tension between free will and fate. The natural world in Hardy's works symbolizes both the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of human efforts within it. The characters' existential struggles against nature underscore Hardy's vision of a deterministic and indifferent universe, where human desires often clash with uncontrollable external forces. This paper highlights how Hardy uses nature to explore deeper philosophical questions about the human condition, making his novels profound reflections on existence and the search for meaning in an uncaring world.