The Importance of the Role of Egdon Heath in Return of the Native

Discuss the importance of the role of Egdon Heath in Return of the

Native.

Do you think that Egdon is a sinister or benign influence?

The entire opening chapter of The Return of the Native is devoted to a

lengthy description of Egdon Heath, the setting of the novel. The

heath must be significant in terms of the themes and the continue

progress of the novel. The author of the novel, Thomas Hardy, made the

heath so significant to the point that it can be look upon as a

character like any other in the novel. The heath's constant

correlation with the plot and its "personality" even transformed it

into the major antagonist of the story.

In the opening chapter the heath is introduced just as how a major

character of most novels would be introduced with detail. In fact, the

way Hardy devoted the entire first chapter just to describe it gives

it the level of importance that is over any other characters in the

book. This seems to suggest that the heath is like the "ruler" of the

story, it is the King, and it is more powerful than any person is.

The heath demonstrates the idea that fate is more powerful than the

desires of individuals. This theme can be seems throughout the novel.

The biggest effect of this theme is on Eustacia. The fact that Clym

delayed sending his letter to Eustacia, coupled with the fact that

Captain Vye unwittingly kept the letter from Eustacia until it was too

late, suggests that perhaps destiny is against her. It is under the

downpour of the rain, on the rugged heath where Eustacia laments her

fate. Eustacia's own remark, "how destiny is against me!" and "I have

been injured and blighted and crushed by things beyond my control!"

affirm the existence of such a force, the power of fate...

... middle of paper ...

... continue work; looking down,

he would have decided to finish his faggot and go home". The tone of

the description of the heath is morose, sombre and gloomy. In the

description, Hardy only describes the heath as dark and scary. He

chooses to illustrate these things and gives the story a morose

feeling. His sombre and gloomy tone is reflected in his attitude

toward the heath. The tone makes the heath appear seem scarier and

more powerful. Thomas Hardy delivers a powerful and firm attitude

towards Edgon Heath. He feels that it is a dark, scary and living

place. He uses and combines various literary techniques in order to

achieve his goal of convey his feelings towards the heath to his

readers.

Overall, Egdon is portrayed as a member of the novel, not just a

setting. Its participation as the role of antagonist greatly carried

out The Return of the Native.