Beginning of Essay
With close reference to two or three moments in the text, discuss Hardy's ability to create mood, atmosphere and a sense of place. Throughout "The return of the native", Thomas Hardy is very successful in creating mood and atmosphere. Some scenes are so descripti ....

Middle of Essay
.... 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 of the heath with the words "It was at present a place perfectly accordant with man's nature - neither ghastly, hateful, nor ugly: neither... unmeaning, nor tame; but like man slighted and enduring...". This is a description of the heath, which leaves the reader with a stronger sense of place, havin ....