ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book shows Thomas Hardy's works did in fact pose a challenge to established society, exposing the power structures responsible for class and gender inequalities and scrutinizing the motives of empire-makers throughout history, including the Romans, Napoleon and the British imperialists. It discusses the way in which written language is used as a tool for transmitting accepted knowledge and received cultural values. The book explores how in 'The Dorsetshire Labourer' Hardy regrets the passing of 'unwritten' Wessex English that was transmitted through stories, poems and songs. The book also discusses how native inhabitants of the colonies were regarded by the colonizers as child-like, sexualised and servile. It examines how in the portrayal of characters like Tess, Hardy shows that the same characteristics were used by men to categorise and dominate women.
