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b. Hardy’s Classification of His Own Novels: Hardy categorized his novels into two main groups: “Novels of Character and Environment” and “Romances and Fantasies.” The novels in the first category, such as “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” and “Far from the Madding Crowd,” focus on the interactions between characters and their environment.

These novels emphasize the influence of external circumstances on individuals’ lives and choices. In the second category, novels like “The Return of the Native” and “The Mayor of Casterbridge” fall into the “Romances and Fantasies.” These novels delve into more intense emotions, complex moral dilemmas, and often include tragic elements. Hardy’s classification highlights his commitment to exploring both the realistic and the romantic aspects of human existence.