How Hardy Frames his Texts

Dr Mary Rimmer, University of New Brunswick, Canada

Our Hardy Country Partners, Dorset County Museum, University of Exeter, National Trust, Thomas hardy Society and Kingston Maurward College are pleased to present the 2018/19 Thomas Hardy Public Lecture Series. Join them for informative and entertaining lectures on the celebrated Dorset writer and poet in the heart of Hardy Country.

Thomas Hardy characteristically wrote, planned, or had a hand in planning the various texts and images that introduce his novelsthe titles, the title pages, the prefaces and sometimes even the covers. Presumably he wanted these verbal and visual elements at the edge of his texts to influence his readers, but what sort of influence do they exert? To what extent do or should they control anyone's reading? Focusing on particular examples from Hardy's novels, this talk will consider a range of questions raised by the way Hardy frames his texts for prospective readers, and probe the connections between the frames and the texts.

Mary Rimmer has edited Desperate Remedies, published articles and book chapters on Hardy, and collaborated on editions of four early Trinidad novels. Recently retired from the University of New Brunswick in Canada, she is working on a book on culture and allusion in Hardy and on an edition of The Trumpet-Major for Cambridge University Press.

Kingston Maurward College provide plenty of parking places on campus. When you arrive, please follow signs for visitor parking.
For event enquiries call 01305 262735
Admission FREE

About the lecture series

Hardy Country Lecture Series is named after the famous novelist and poet Thomas Hardy and located within the rolling Dorset Hills, Hardy Country is the perfect destination for both fans of literature and those looking to discover some beautiful scenery. Whether youre visiting for a few hours, a few days or longer, we very much look forward to welcoming you to Hardy Country.

This lecture series is brought to you by several independent not-for-profit organisations who are working together to promote the life and work of Thomas Hardy and the county of Dorset. These include Dorset County Museum, University of Exeter, National Trust, Thomas Hardy Society and Kingston Maurward College.
Image: Various editions of Tess of the D'urbervilles Dorset County Museum 2019