Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy marks a pivotal moment in his literary career. This novel, while more gentle and pastoral than his later works, helped Hardy establish his distinctive voice and enduring themes. It paints an evocative picture of the Wessex countryside, drawing heavily on Hardy's own childhood memories, and introduces themes of nostalgia, social change, and the tension between tradition and progress.

Hardy's Literary Beginnings

Before Under the Greenwood Tree, Thomas Hardy had already attempted to navigate the literary world with earlier efforts. His first, unpublished novel "The Poor Man and the Lady" (written in 1867) was suppressed at his own behest. Although Desperate Remedies (1871) achieved some success, Hardy considered it inferior to his later work. Under the Greenwood Tree reflects a writer who had found his voice and his subject—rural England, its people, and its customs.

Nostalgia and Social Change

While Under the Greenwood Tree resonates with a gentle, pastoral charm, it also carries a poignant sense of nostalgia. Set over the course of a year punctuated by country festivals, the novel breathes life into the characters and customs of a bygone era. Hardy’s portrayal of Reuben Dewy and his community is infused with a desire to capture and preserve a way of life that was beginning to fade. Nevertheless, the novel also suggests an awareness of the inevitability of change. While Hardy may not advocate for change purely for its own sake, he recognizes its necessity.

Fancy Day: A Symbol of Modernity

At the heart of this narrative of transition is Fancy Day, a character embodying modernity and progress. An educated and spirited young woman, Fancy takes on the role of a schoolteacher in Mellstock and challenges the status quo. Her advocacy for women participating in church singing, traditionally a male domain, brings her into conflict with the Mellstock Quire. This disagreement prompts the new vicar, Maybold, to consider replacing the choir with an organ—an instrument Fancy would play. This move toward progress is questioned, however, when Maybold proposes to Fancy, revealing his desire for a traditional domestic arrangement rather than true gender equality.

The Triangle of Suitors

Fancy’s suitors represent different facets of society and change. She ultimately rejects Maybold’s vision of her as an ornamental addition to his drawing room in favor of Dick Dewy, a dynamic choice that reflects her preference for a modern partnership. This decision underscores Hardy’s depiction of evolving social roles. Fancy's father, however, yearns for her to marry into the gentry through another suitor, Farmer Shiner, showcasing the tension between old aspirations and emerging realities. The suitor triangle motif reappears famously in Hardy’s later work, Far from the Madding Crowd, with more complex consequences.

The Importance of Appearances

A significant theme in Under the Greenwood Tree is the social emphasis on appearances. Hardy humorously illustrates this through the characters’ preoccupation with presenting themselves favorably to others. For instance, during a visit, Mrs. Day replaces everyday table settings with her best dinnerware to impress her guest. Similarly, Mrs. Dewy makes efforts to showcase her family during significant occasions. This concern for appearances extends to the central characters, as Dick worries about Fancy's attention to her appearance and takes care in presenting himself when meeting her father. Such details reveal the social dynamics and pressures of rural life.

Reflections of Modernity

Throughout the novel, Hardy carefully balances the charm of tradition with the inevitability of modernity. The attention to appearance, the evolving social roles, and the gentle comedy of manners serve as vehicles for Hardy to explore the cultural shifts of his time. The novel’s setting, characters, and themes offer a microcosm of the broader societal changes occurring in Victorian England. In Under the Greenwood Tree, Hardy does not just lament the passing of an era; he captures the essence of its transition, reflecting both the losses and the gains of moving forward.