The Duel by Thomas Hardy (1897)
A man confronts a rival in a secluded glade to defend his wife's honor after being provoked by rumors of infidelity. The husband, driven by jealousy and a sense of duty, insists on a duel to restore his wife's reputation. Despite her pleas for calm and trust, he engages in a fight with the rival, who is initially reluctant but ultimately complies. As the duel progresses, the husband is fatally wounded. In his final moments, the rival expresses regret over the confrontation, suggesting that the husband should have trusted his wife's assurances. The husband, now dying, realizes the futility of his actions and the tragic consequences of his jealousy. After the duel, the rival, devoid of remorse, reveals that he had been involved with the wife all along. Disguised as a page, she joins him, and they celebrate their newfound freedom, leaving the husband behind. The narrative explores themes of honor, jealousy, betrayal, and the tragic outcomes of misguided actions, ultimately highlighting the destructive nature of pride and the complexities of love and trust.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1897 · Genre: Drama, Poetry, Tragedy · 461 words
First lines
"I AM here to time, you see; / The glade is well-screened-eh? -against alarm; / Fit place to vindicate by my arm / The honour of my spotless wife, / Who scorns your libel upon her life / In boasting intimacy!
"‘All hush-offerings you'll spurn, / My husband. Two must come; one only go,' / She said. ‘That he'll be you I know; / To faith like ours Heaven will be just, / And I shall abide in fullest trust / Your speedy glad return."
What this Textopian page supports
The Duel is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Hardy, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Poetry, Tragedy, Romance, Literary Fiction
- Length: 461 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Duel by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- The Contretemps by Thomas Hardy
- The Wedding Morning by Thomas Hardy
- The Noble Ladys Tale by Thomas Hardy
- Side By Side by Thomas Hardy
- The Flirts Tragedy by Thomas Hardy
- The Dissemblers by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Drama — The intense emotional conflict and moral dilemmas faced by the characters drive the narrative.
- Poetry — The work's structure and language exhibit poetic qualities, emphasizing rhythm and imagery.
- Tragedy — The fatal consequences of the duel and the themes of honor and betrayal align with tragic elements.
- Romance — The underlying love story between the characters adds a romantic dimension to the plot.
Tags
conflict · romance · betrayal · jealousy · honor · duel · fate · class · society · violence · male rivalry · love triangle