'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is one of Thomas Hardy's most well known novels. There have been films and television adaptations made from the book and it has continued to be sold, with several different editions, since it was published in 1886. But how far are the events of Thomas Hardy's own life and experience reflected in the events and characters depicted in his book? What was life like for Hardy between his birth in 1840 and his death in 1928? How true to life in Victorian Britain were Hardy's main novels? In this talk I will explore the events and characters of Hardy's famous novel and compare their experiences with the actual events of the times. Using evidence, we will see how true the depictions are and look at how far Victorian and Edwardian life affected Hardy as a writer.
Course aim
To investigate how far the world in which Thomas Hardy lived affected his writing, with special reference to 'The Mayor of Casterbridge'.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Understand how far the world in which Thomas Hardy lived affected his writing in the book 'The Mayor of Casterbridge'.
What else do I need to know?
As this is an online course, you will need access to a computer that has the capability to connect via Zoom. You will also need a camera and microphone that is compatible.
View full course information sheet
Thomas Hardy: That Inspired his work - The Mayor of Casterbridge
