The Woodlanders

The Woodlanders is a novel by Thomas Hardy. It was serialised from May 1886 to April 1887 in Macmillan's Magazine and published in three volumes in 1887. It is one of his series of Wessex novels.

The Woodlanders, novel by Thomas Hardy, published serially in Macmillan's Magazine from 1886 to 1887 and in book form in 1887. The work is a pessimistic attack on a society that values high status and socially sanctioned behaviour over good character and honest emotions.

The lack of permanence is depicted in the ending where after leaving the doctor for Winterborne, Grace goes back to Fitzpiers. Even though she promises to be by Winterborne's grave and be faithful to him, she ultimately changes her mind. She is cultivated, but not morally improved.