Wildeve's Flaws and how they contribute to his problems.

Wildeve's Flaws and how they contribute to his problems.

Hardy often relates his characters to their surrounding natural

landscape, therefore creating the backdrop to the story, with the

characters in it. Wildeve's name invokes up images of the 'wild' of

the heath and this reflects his passionate and impulsive behaviour.

Another way in which Hardy creates the image of Wildeve is by using

the 'gossip' of other minor characters. Through a discussion of the

heath-folk that Wildeve's name is firstly introduced to the reader, "

To give him his due he's a clever learned fellow in his way.. An

engineer- that's what the man was, as we know; but he threw away his

chance."

Hardy's description is essential in developing Wildeve's character. He

describes him as being a man of two properties, "farm and motion" and

he is explicitly depicted as a physically attractive persona. Hardy

enforces this, "the grace of his movements was singular: it was the

pantomimic expression of a lady killing career".

Wildeve's distanced superiority towards the heath folk further

highlights his egotism. They however do not seem to perceive his cold

opinions to them. His approach and the way he conducts himself

contrasts greatly with their enthusiasm and genuine feeling. "Wildeve

made no reply and probably feeling that the sooner he treated them the

sooner they would go".

Wildeve's selfishness is also illustrated by his attitude to Thomasin.

Although Thomasin has had a tiresome and emotional journey, his first

words to her lack real warmth and feeling, "How could you leave me in

that way darling?", this statement seems careless, and as if he has no

concern about her safe arrival.

Wildeve plays with Thomasin's feelings. She has t...

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...thin human limitations.

Wildeve cannot initiate rebellion. He can only respond to Eustacia's

fire and be consumed in her flames, like the moth-signal he sends her.

The weakness and unpredictability in his character, rather than evil

and the troubled beauty and vanity of Eustacia, combined for

predictable longing, rejection and ultimately tragedy. When Eustacia

no longer showed interest, he was dying for her, and when he comes

into an inheritance that will allow him to make his dreams come true,

and effectively escape the heath, he tells Eustacia his plans to 'live

it up' and travel. Ironically he is unable to make this happen, for he

sacrifices himself trying to save Eustacia from drowning. His

superstitious nature allowed him to get involved in something risky,

but despite his flaws and mistakes, like Eustacia he is now

permanently buried on the heath.