Thomas Hardy
Lesson plans and teaching ideas

| Biography and Background | | Far from the Madding Crowd | | Jude the Obscure | | Poetry |

Biography and Background

Thomas Hardy
This page from the Victorian Web provides links to biography, background information, analysis of themes and images, and more.

Thomas Hardy's Dorset
A map from Britain Express.

Far from the Madding Crowd

Far From the Madding Crowd
Text of the novel with the original illustrations by Helen Paterson Allingham.

Jude the Obscure

Jude the Obscure
Text of the novel.

Understanding Jude the Obscure
An extensive collection of links to background information.

Poetry

Assignment 2: The Soldier
Using Hardy's "The Man he Killed," Yeats' "An Irish Airman Foresees his Death," and Brooke's "The Soldier," students explore character traits of the speakers.

"I Look into my Glass"
Downloadable audio file and text of the poem.

"The Oxen"
Background, guiding questions and answers.

"The Shadow on the Stone" by Thomas Hardy
Text of the poem, commentary.

Thomas Hardy's Poetry
This study guide covers "The Man he Killed" and other war poems, poetry about Hardy's first wife such as "The Going," and an assortment of other poems, including "The Darkling Thrush." Includes analysis and questions for discussion and writing.