mbols of how fate can be against man.
             Hardy grew up in the countryside of a small village of Egdon Heath. There he could carefully observe the regularity of natural changes. Hardy lived in an age of transition which added to his melancholy view of life. The industrial revolution was in the process of destroying the agricultural life and the nature that he was so fond of. The shift of population caused a disintegration of rural customs and traditions which meant security, stability, and dignity for the people. It was a period when fundamental beliefs (religious, social, scientific, and political) were shaken to their very core and brought in their stead the "ache of modernism". Hardy's early struggle with religious problems was an important factor in in viewss of fatalism.
             As a child, it was Hardy's dream to become a parson. He had several clerical relatives who supported him in his goal. His grandfather, father, uncle, brother, cousin, and two sisters had been musicians in various churches. As a young man, he read church lessons and became curious of the different religions of Christianity. He couldn't understand that if each religion believ
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