The purpose of this essay is to study the character of Damon Wildeve and how the other characters of the novel perceive him. I will begin by examining the authorial view of his character.
             Considering the techniques used by Hardy to represent his character's passions are an important part of understanding their thought processes. Hardy often relates his characters to their surrounding natural landscape, thereby integrating the backdrop to the story with the participants in it. For example, Wildeve's name conjures images of the wild terrain of the heath and this reflects his passionate and impulsive nature.
             Another technique Hardy employs in constructing an initial image of Wildeve is by using the hearsay of other minor characters. It is through a discussion among the heath-folk that Wildeve's name is first 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...His learning was no use to him at all.'
             This gradual unfolding of information draws the reader's attention and we look more closely for those clues that will provide further insight into Wildeve's character. As we approach the discussion concerning Wildeve's forthcoming marriage to Tamsin Yeobright, we are conscious of the contrasting opinions of the heath folk. The women seen to appreciate Wildeve's impetuosity and passionate temperament claiming: 'A hundred maidens would have had him if he'd asked 'em,' however the men seem to affront their opinion stating: 'Dids't ever know a man, neighbour, that no woman at all would marry?' Wildeve's paradoxical nature is also reinforced by Hardy's own words:
             'Altogether he was one in whom no man would have seen anything to admire, and in whom no woman would have seen anything to dislike.'
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