[Hardy-l] RE: Teaching Hardy 'minor' novels.

[Gary Disposable address]

Speaking as a complete Literature illiterate. 

 

I find that the final editions give a more complete view on the world of
Wessex; one that shows more (but not total) consistency.

 

The first editions show the thoughts as they came from the artist.  They
aren't consistent, but they are more natural.  They also show the
progression of the concept of "Wessex" - not introduced into the first
editions until FFMC, but built through the series.  The reintroduction of
the Wessex / Melstock / Weatherbury structure into UGT, for example brings
it into the fold - but also takes away the rough edges of a writer, writing
primarily for recognition and money, and unaware as yet that he's going to
go on to be a writer of an opus.

 

Gary Alderson

 

From: Beth Sutton-Ramspeck [mailto:bsutton-ramspeck at lima.ohio-state.edu] 
Sent: 21 May 2008 22:31
To: hardy-l at coyote.csusm.edu
Subject: [Hardy-l] RE: Teaching Hardy 'minor' novels.

 

Jane Thomas writes,

 

"I  . . . like both Penguin Classics and Oxford Worlds Classics in that both
note significant changes in the text from the first edition in volume form
through to the final 1912 revisions. I suppose it depends on whether you
want what is generally regarded as Hardy's 'final' words (1912 Oxford
Classics) or the first publication in volume form (useful for
contextualisation)."

 

This raises an important question that I don't doubt List members can debate
with great expertise and enthusiasm: what ARE the arguments in favor of
each?

 

I ask as someone who is a Hardy enthusiast but definitely no expert.  I'm
familiar with the standard philosophical arguments about first and final
editions but not as they apply to Hardy in particular.

 

Beth

 

Beth Sutton-Ramspeck
Associate Professor of English
The Ohio State University at Lima
Lima, OH 45804
sutton-ramspeck.1 at osu.edu

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