[Hardy-l] Re: Hardy-l Digest, Vol 31, Issue 3

[ANN WHITLOCK]

Jacky Wilkinson wrote:
    To summate, I am examining the grotesque thread as observed in selected
incidents throughout Hardy's novels from 'Desperate Remedies', where Hardy
looks back over his shoulder to the gothic grotesque, to 'Jude' where he
looks forward to the grotesque as observed in Woolf and beyond, even finding
resonances in Pirandello and the 'Theatre of he Grotesque'. 
II realise that a whole book could be devoted to Hardy's employment of
the grotesque mode and that there is much encapsulation to be done - but
therein lies the charm!!
All the best,
Jacky Wilkinson 
   
  Having read the correspondence on this topic, Jacky one suggestion (to add to the many) is that you might consider  images of the grotesque specifically related to the natural world.
   
  The place where Bathsheba spends the night after discovering Fanny Robin and child; the wood  in several references in later chapters of The Woodlanders, the chapter in DR when Cytherea contemplates the mandrakes, and the images of nature and heat in Mrs Yeobright walks across the heath, and the swede cutting in TDU provide some patterns to contemplate. There are several patterns which might be teased out between the imagery in the natural and world and the human mind at  moments of pity and terror.
   
  I have always thought that meticulous examination of texts are, in the end the most reliable way of gaining insight into intent, regarding the links between phsychological and psychical patterns, than theoretical models in other people's work. That may be because  as both a student and in post graduate research many years ago, I was always less able to retain an interest in theory rather than practice in art!
   
  Good luck with your fascinating research.
  Ann Whiltock




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