The book opens with an in-depth description of the heath. This is a perfect example of Hardy's ability to clearly describe a scene in the heath. This heath, although seemingly only a location of the story, plays a very significant role. The role and symbolism of the heath are truly explored through some of Hardy's statements. "The heavens being spread with this pallid screen, the earth with the darkest vegetation, their meeting-line at the horizon was clearly marked". This is highlighting the vivid contrast between the ground and the sky, leaving the reader with an image of the wild expanse of vegetation. Hardy describes the nature

Also not to mention how Clym is very happy in the heath. Clym the son of Mrs. Yeobright goes abroad to work as a diamond seller in Paris but soon realizes his heart is in Egdon. He doesn't want the materialistic wealth and instead goes back to the heath and marries Eustacia, but soon after their relationship turns into failure because he wants to stay in the heath. For Clym the heath is a happy and beautiful place as opposed to Eustacia where the heath is her hell.

Further on, Hardy introduces the heath people. In this introduction, the various characters that will be important throughout the story appear with their personalities being focused on by the author. It is at this first gathering round the fires that people are explored in depth, as before this incident, it is the heath that has taken the central position and therefore has had all of Hardy's attention. The near complete darkness does not allow the reader to learn about the features of the people yet a clear understanding of the way they live, their customs and the place around them is achieved. Hardy uses these fires as a symbol, not only in this scene, but also in other chapters throughout the book as a symbol of passion and love. In this case, the fires are simple instruments of celebration yet they lead in to the core of the story. To describe the impact of the fire, Hardy uses rich images; "those whom Nature had depicted as merely quaint became grotesque, the grotesque became preternatural; for all was in extremity."

Some topics in this essay:
Thomas Hardy, Wildeve Hardy, Eustacia Wildeve, , description heath, throughout return native, heath clym, return native, incomplete darkness, throughout return,