Eustacia’s Dreams and Desires in Hardy’s The Return of the Native: A Psychoanalytic Approach

This project analyses Eustacia’s dreams and desires in The Return of the Native, by Thomas Hardy. Eustacia is the protagonist of the novel The Return of the Native. All the existing interpretations and analyses of the character covers various approaches focusing on the character’s conscious experiences. This project focuses on the dreams and desires of Eustacia. Applying Freudian psychoanalytical interpretation, the motives behind her dreams and desires are revealed. This study finds that Eustacia from her childhood wants to leave Heath. This is her first and foremost desire. But her desire increases over time. Eustacia then wants to marry someone to get a luxurious life who takes her away from heath. However, her dreams and desires remain unfulfilled rather she suffers for her dreams and desires. This project also attempts to discover the sufferings of Eustacia due to her dreams and desires. 

• Supervision