Understanding Nature and Humanity: An Ecocritical Study of Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between humans, Nature, and humanity and establish a harmonious coexistence, particularly in the wake of industrialization. This article aims to analyze Thomas Hardy's novel, The Return of the Native, from an ecocritical perspective and shed light on Thomas Hardy's ecological consciousness as reflected through the novel's various characters, settings, and plot. The primary objective of this study is to assess how the novel's characters respond to and engage with environmental concerns. Another aim is to trace the evolution of the concern for Nature and humanity, from the Victorian era to the Present, among writers, artists, and intellectuals. The third and final objective is to underscore the significance of reconnecting with Nature, as depicted in the novel. Methodology: This study has used the theory of ecocriticism, a relatively recent theoretical framework. It investigates the intersection of literature and the environment from an interdisciplinary viewpoint, exploring potential solutions for our contemporary environmental predicaments. It constitutes a qualitative research endeavor predominantly employing ecocritical theory to investigate the relationship between the novel's characters and the natural world. Findings: The study concludes that interconnection between humans, humanity, and the natural world is needed to avoid the consequences of environmental degradation, which is being tolerated by humankind. This paper proposes several recommendations to ameliorate contemporary environmental challenges that hold value for researchers, environmentalists, and all stakeholders committed to environmental conservation.