The Annual Thomas Hardy Essay Competition

A Notice to all Heads of English and ‘A’ Level (and equivalent) Students of English in Secondary Education.

We are now in the fourth year of this competition, and this year we are advertising it on the Internet. In addition, all those schools which have participated in previous years will be notified by post.

This year, secondary students preparing for Higher Education, from all countries, are invited to submit essays of up to 3000 words on any of the following subjects:

  1. Given the opportunity to make a film of any ONE of Hardy’s novels – which aspects of the novel would lend themselves most readily to filming, and which would be most likely to create difficulties for you as a film maker?
  2. With reference to a number of poems (say 7-10) explore some of the varieties of voice, language an form in Hardy’s poetry.
  3. Consider some of the ways in which Hardy uses place and imagery to shape his novels.
  4. In what way does Hardy’s use of contrasting characters affect your response to any ONE Hardy novel?
  5. Hardy said he wanted to ‘make the heart and inner meaning visible’. Do you think he does this in his fiction?
  6. How does Hardy use ‘nature’ in his novels?
  7. Give an account and assessment of Hardy’s war poetry.

We offer a prize of £250.00 to the winner with smaller prizes to runners up. In addition, awards of £100.00 and £50.00 respectively, will be made to the English Departments of the 1st and 2nd prizewinners.

Completed essays should be returned to the Chairman, THS, The Mount, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8NL, UK.

 
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Last modified: September 17, 1999