The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy

Name: The Woodlanders
Author: Thomas Hardy

The Woodlanders is a novel by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1887. It is set in the fictional village of Little Hintock, located in rural England. The novel follows the story of Grace Melbury, a young woman who is the daughter of a local woodlander, or woodcutter. She is courted by two men, the wealthy doctor Fitzpiers and the local woodlander, Giles Winterborne. Fitzpiers is a newcomer to the village, and his presence causes a stir among the locals. Grace is torn between the two men, and her decision is complicated by the fact that Fitzpiers is already married. Eventually, she chooses Giles, and the two are married. However, Fitzpiers' wife soon returns, and the situation becomes even more complicated. The novel follows the lives of the characters as they struggle to make sense of their lives and relationships. It is a story of love, loss, and the power of nature.

By Thomas Hardy · First published 1887 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Drama · 48 chapters · 136,667 words

First lines

The rambler who, for old association or other reasons, should trace the forsaken coach-road running almost in a meridional line from Bristol to the south shore of England, would find himself during the latter half of his journey in the vicinity of some extensive woodlands, interspersed with apple-orchards. Here the trees, timber or fruit-bearing, as the case may be, make the wayside hedges ragged by their drip and shade, stretching over the road with easeful horizontality, as if they found the unsubstantial air an adequate support for their limbs. At one place, where a hill is crossed, the largest of the woods shows itself bisected by the high-way, as the head of thick hair is bisected by the white line of its parting. The spot is lonely.

What this Textopian page supports

The Woodlanders is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thomas Hardy, dated 1887 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Thomas Hardy
Date: 1887 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Drama, Literary Fiction
Length: 136,667 words
Structure: 48 chapters, 4,762 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Woodlanders?
How does this novel by Thomas Hardy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Realistic Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Realistic Fiction — The Woodlanders is a realistic novel that follows the lives of its characters in a rural English village, and explores themes of love, class, and morality.
Romance — The novel follows the romantic relationships of its characters, and explores the consequences of their choices.
Drama — The novel is full of dramatic moments, as the characters struggle with their emotions and the consequences of their decisions.
Literary Fiction — The Woodlanders is a classic work of literary fiction, written by the renowned author Thomas Hardy and exploring complex themes and characters.