Religious Context

Question 1

Centrality of Christian observance

Answer 1

• churches built in industrial cities

- parishes centre of community

Question 2

King James - reason for biblical allusions in contemporary literary texts

Answer 2

King James Version of the bible would have heard reading and sermons weekly - absorbed the language and rhythm

Question 3

Position of the clergy

Answer 3

• responsible girl making sure the village scchool functioned and local council meetings were conducted
• universally educated

Question 4

Hardy allude to concerning the theology of country people

Answer 4

• alludes to the idea that their beliefs are a mix of Christianity and paganism - due to ideas concerning fate and nature

Question 5

Low church - Angels father

Answer 5

Evangelists

• upheld importance of preaching the bible
• believe humans are profoundly affected by sin therefore cannot achieve a close relationship with God

Question 6

Who was Angels father modelled on

Answer 6

• Rev Henry Moule if Fordingham - dons went to Cambridge and Hardy was influenced by Horace whisky he was a young man

Question 7

High church

Answer 7

Angels two brothers

- Hardy does not have much sympathy for them as they have lost touch with personal relationships and values

Question 8

Methodist

Answer 8

• Alec when he is converted
• religious sign painter
• preachers and relied on lay preachers who would preach fiery sermons

Question 9

Hardys strong philosophical movement

Answer 9

Determinism - philosophical concept that means each human life is predetermined

Question 10

Main idea explored in Hardy’a pessimism

Answer 10

• people want happiness, yet the universe appears structured to disappoint these hopes

Question 11

Explanations for pessimism

Answer 11

Hardy is sensitive to people’s suffering
- suggested that his pessimism stems from his country roots as many country people were fatalistic and appeared to focus on what could go wrong