ABSTRACT
The modern facial expression portrays a “view of life as a thing to be put up with.” A long train of disillusive centuries have shown the defects of natural law and the quandary in which their operation has placed man. Life causes one to set aside the vision of what ought to be and induces a listless making the best of the world as it is. Eustacia’s predicament is an exaggerated form of the quandary in which Thomas Hardy believes intelligent human beings find themselves. Clym is in many respects like Hardy himself. As Hardy had always been fond of music and as the songs were romantically suited to the spot, the songs added to the charms of the singers. During the four years of their engagement Hardy spent most of his time in Dorchester, while Emma Gifford remained in Cornwall. But they were together as much as time and money permitted.
