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The Maddening Crowd

The Relationship Between Man, Nature and Industrialization

The Value of Environment in Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

by Penbe Alize Özçalışkan 

An illustration of Farmer Oak with the sheep from (https://www.willowandthatch.com/costume-drama-far-from-the-madding-crowd/)

In Far From The Madding Crowd written in 1874 by Thomas Hardy novels the rapid industrialization and the problems of modernity in a society that took place around the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century are almost always the main concern. Even if these are merely concerns of the past, the feelings of  fear and uneasiness the Industrial Revolution rouses at the time is a common matter in the past as well as the present of Europe therefore cannot be overlooked. In this particular novel, the issue of ruthless industrialization is not addressed directly through the plot, but addressed through Hardy’s descriptions of man and nature, where he focuses on values such as the rural culture and community​ and the human being’s connection to the natural world​, as he articulates how the connection inbetween should be with the following words: “The instinctive act of humankind was to stand and listen, and learn how the trees on the right and the trees on the left wailed or chaunted to each other in the regular antiphonies of a cathedral choir…” (Hardy, 16).​ He also touches upon architectural differences both in the country and in the cities with the following: “Reversals of this kind, strange deformities, tremendous paralyses, are often seen to be inflicted by trade upon edifices – either individual or in the aggregate as streets and towns – which were originally planned for pleasure alone” (Hardy, 69). It seems here Hardy is again referring to cities and towns that are not functioning as the way they were intended to and hence in a “paralyzed” state. Also the changes that are made through Industrial Revolution are also something he draws our attention to. For example in a conversation between the old maltster and Gabriel Oak, the latter states:

“And you can mind the old well that used to be in the middle of the place? That’s turned into a solid iron pump with a large stone trough, and all complete”, says Gabriel Oak.

“Dear, dear – how the face of nations alter, and what we live to see nowadays!”, answers the old maltster (Hardy, 98).

This quote shows the people’s reactions to things changing around them due to industrialisation, even in the countryside, everything is turning out to be from materials like iron, steal or any sort of metal, which reminds the people of something cold and distant in contrast to what they were used to. Of course saying so may be rather emotinal than rational, and it is obvious that Hardy did not really assess the matter impartially, but rather personally. Another quote that he makes his negative opinion towards the cities clear is: “God was probably present in the country, and the devil had gone with the world to town.”  As we see even if the issue of environment is not really a part of the plot, it is certainly a main concern for the novel overall.

Another illustriation of Farmer Oak and his dog (https://www.willowandthatch.com/costume-drama-far-from-the-madding-crowd/)