Why was Thomas Hardy so sad?

Thomas Hardy, the English novelist, and poet was known for his melancholic themes and characters in his works, which reflected his own feelings of sadness and loss. There are several reasons that contributed to his sadness:

Personal Losses

Hardy experienced several personal losses throughout his life, including the deaths of several loved ones. His wife Emma Lavinia Gifford died in 1912, and he never fully recovered from this loss. He also lost his closest friend, Horace Moule, in 1873, and his mother in 1896. These losses may have contributed to his feelings of sadness and loss.

Societal Changes 

Hardy lived during a time of great societal change in England, including the decline of traditional rural communities and the loss of traditional values. He witnessed the changes brought about by industrialization and urbanization, which he often criticized in his novels.

Career Disappointment 

Hardy's career as an architect had a profound impact on him. He worked as an architect for ten years and had seen many of his designs demolished and replaced by new buildings. This may have contributed to his feelings of disappointment and loss.

Unhappy Marriage

Hardy's marriage to Emma Gifford was not very happy. Emma was a deeply religious woman and Hardy was an atheist. They had many disagreements on their beliefs and lifestyle which led to an unhappy life together.

Repression of his Sexuality 

Hardy may have also felt sadness due to the repression of his sexuality. He had a deep affection for men and women throughout his life, but he could not express or act on it due to the societal norms of the time.

These reasons, along with others, likely contributed to Hardy's feelings of sadness and loss, which are reflected in his work.