Write no less than 150 words on each of the following topics in English in the corresponding space on the answer sheet.
Why is Hardy regarded as a naturalistic writer in English literature?Discuss in relation to his novels you know.
A. He read Darwin's The Origin of Species and accepted the idea of “survival of the fittest. M He was also influenced by Spencer s The First Principie, which led him to the belief that man s fate is predeterminedly tragic, driven by a combined force of **nature both inside and outside. In his works, man is shown inevitably bound by his own inherent nature and hereditary traits which prompt him to go and search for some specific happiness or success and set him in conflict with the environment. Man proves impotent before Fate, however he tries, and he seldom escapes his ordained destiny. This pessimistic view of life predominates most of Hardy's later works and earns him a reputation as a naturalistic writer.
B. His best local-colored works are his later ones, such as The Return of the Native(1878), The Trumpet Major ( 1880), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886),77% Wood- landers (1887 ) , Fess o f the D L rher-uilles and J ude the Obscure. These works, known as "novels of character and environment,"are the most representative of him as both a naturalistic and a critical realist writer. (P301)
