Quote by Thomas Hardy: “The business of the poet and novelist is to show the sorriness underlying the grandest things.”

Hardy expresses his artistic philosophy, suggesting that literature's role is to reveal the inherent sadness or flaws even within what appears magnificent. It reflects his often-pessimistic view of human existence and societal structures.

Hardy's novels often depict characters struggling against fate, societal norms, and the indifference of the universe, highlighting the tragic aspects of life despite its beauty.

English novelist and poet whose work portrayed the harsh realities of rural Victorian life with unflinching honesty. His major novels include Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd, and his poetry is noted for its bleak tenderness.