Jan 7, 2010

Tess of the d'Urbervilles | Overview

The Life and Work of Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy was born June 2, 1840, in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, England, not far from the principal settings of Tess of the D’Urbervilles. He was the eldest of four children. His father started a successful building and contracting business with an initial stake of only 14 pounds. His mother was Jemima Hand, who had worked as a maidservant and also had received pauper relief, a sort of welfare program. Thomas Hardy had a complicated attitude toward his family origins. He had a particular interest, common to many born into humble...