The Trumpet-Major (Wordsworth Classics)

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It's 1804 and England expects an invasion attempt by Napoleon Bonaparte's armies. Near Budmouth (Weymouth) Anne Garland lives with her widowed mother in part of a flour mill, next to their landlord and friend miller William Loveday. Thousands of soldiers pitch camp on the downs nearby, ready to meet the invasion. Anne attracts the admiration of two of them, both with local connections: Trumpet Major John Loveday, the decent and thoughtful son of the miller, and Yeomanry officer Festus Derriman, the boastful and aggressive nephew of the skinflint local squire. Anne favours John and loathes Festus, but Festus pesters her, a situation not helped by her mother's desire for her to marry him on account of his rank and (assumed) wealth. However, when her mother changes her view (partly due to the miller's courting of her) and favours marriage to John, Anne changes her mind and favours Festus, thinking herself too ‘high’ for a miller's son. Anne goes to Portland Head to watch the Victory sail past. In Budmouth she sits crying, and is comforted by the King, who is passing by. The Loveday family endure a long wait for news of the Victory, eventually hearing of the Battle of Trafalgar, but not whether Bob has survived. Finally a sailor comes to tell them that Bob is unharmed – but also that he's engaged to a baker's daughter in Portsmouth. Shortly after the publication of The Trumpet Major the Critic, a New York periodical, accused Hardy of plagiarising the amusing militia drill scene in Chapter 23 entitled “Military Preparations on an Extended Scale,” from Augustus Baldwin Longstreet's book, Georgia Scenes, published in America in 1840. The accusation was reprinted in the Academy, a London periodical, in February 1882, and caused a consternation. Although the charges of plagiarism were repeated in American and English periodicals, Hardy did not make a public reply until 1895. In the preface to the 1895 edition of The Trumpet Major, he stated that the accusations were groundless because he had taken the militia drill scene from Gifford's book of military anecdotes, and was completely unaware of Longstreet's work. In fact, Hardy drew heavily upon Gifford's History of the Wars Occasioned By the French Revolution and reproduced almost verbatim in The Trumpet Major a sketch “Satire upon American Discipline,” which Gifford had reproduced himself from a comic sketch published in a Georgia newspaper by Oliver H. Prince (1782-1837), a lawyer, journalist, story writer and a US Senator. The threat of war looms However, Hardy also explores the limitations and contradictions of religious beliefs. He questions the effectiveness of faith in the face of tragedy and the harsh realities of war. The characters’ struggles with doubt and their attempts to reconcile their beliefs with the harshness of their circumstances highlight the complexities of religious faith.

Throughout the novel, Hardy presents a diverse range of religious beliefs and practices. From the devoutly religious Anne Garland, who finds solace in her faith during the chaos of war, to the skeptical and rational-minded John Loveday, the characters’ spiritual journeys offer a glimpse into the complexities of human nature. Unlike most Hardy novels, in which the essence of the story is fictional – though often with reference to contemporary matters (such as changes in divorce law playing a part in The Woodlanders) – the real events of 1804-5 when Dorset was preparing for the palpable threat of French invasion near Weymouth (Budmouth) permeate The Trumpet Major, a danger that only receded with victory at Trafalgar. Festus and Matilda are married, Anne and Bob are to be engaged, and John's regiment is posted away to battle in Spain, where, we are told, he will die. Edward Neill has called the novel an attempt to repeat the success of his earlier work Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), after the limited success of his intervening works. [4] The novel originally appeared in 1880 in the Evangelical serial Good Words (January–December) with 33 illustrations by John Collier. [5] The three-volume first edition was published in October 1880. [6] Plot [ edit ] Window overlooking the Down [ edit ]This novel is based on stories told by his grandmother when he was a child and he fondly remembered her for the storyteller she was. Other sources include that Hardy, as a young man, would visit and spoke to the Chelsea Pensioners about the Peninsular War and the Hundred Days campaign in which Napoleon was utterly defeated by the British army of the Duke of Wellignton at the Battle of Waterloo. In 1958 The Musicmakers presented a "new musical in three acts" titled Farewell my Fancy at the Everyman Theatre in Reading. With book, music and lyrics by Michael Wild, the piece was a musical comedy "suggested" by The Trumpet Major and it featured all the major characters of the book. It was given six performances from 24 to 29 November 1958. A note of apology in the programme suggests that it was not authorised by the Hardy Estate. [9] Historical analysis [ edit ] Hardy, The Trumpet Major and the Napoleonic Wars [ edit ] In 1908, the original Hardy Players put on a dramatised version of The Trumpet-Major at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester. Hardy was very involved with the play, working closely with its producer, Alfred Evans, whose daughter Evelyn later recounted that the two had many discussions in the study at Max Gate ‘deciding on the outline of the play, writing additional dialogue’ and discussing whether particular scenes should be retained or left out. he Trumpet-Major, serialised in the popular monthly magazine Good Words from January to December 1880, and published by Smith, Elder & Co. in three volumes in October of the same year, is Thomas Hardy's seventh novel — a historical and pastoral romance set in and around the seaside resort of Budmouth (Weymouth), in Hardy's Wessex in the years 1804-1808, during the Napoleonic Wars. The Reverend Donald Macleod, the editor of the magazine Good Words, which was mostly of religious character, requested that Hardy's novel must be free from indecencies so that it could be read by the magazine readers also on Sundays. As a result, Hardy censored the magazine publication, but he significantly revised the volume edition, restoring it to its original form. Hardy used this method of self-censorship for magazine publications of both Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure (Pite 248).

There were departures from the novel: while the novel ends of a tragic note, with John Loveday going off to his death on the battlefields of Spain, as Evelyn Evans writes: ‘the curtain of the re-written play fell on laughter, song and dancing.’ And finally, John Loveday, the Trumpet-Major himself – Pierrot: In Commedia dell'arte, Pierrot was a comic servant character, often naïve, and always heart-broken by his unrequited love for Columbine. The French version of Pierrot became something of a 19th-century ‘meme’: a melancholy, white-faced figure, pensive and silent. John Loveday is a thoughtful, simple-hearted man. His pallor is often remarked on, too – a nod at Pierrot's painted white face. [10] The Trumpet-Major is a novel by Thomas Hardy published in 1880, and his only historical novel. Hardy included it with his "romances and fantasies". It concerns the heroine, Anne Garland, being pursued by three suitors: John Loveday, the eponymous trumpet major in a British regiment, honest and loyal; his brother Bob, a flighty sailor; and Festus Derriman, the cowardly nephew of the local squire. Unusually for a Hardy novel, the ending is not entirely tragic; however, there remains an ominous element in the probable fate of one of the main characters. The Trumpet-Major” is a captivating exploration of love and romance, showcasing Hardy’s mastery of storytelling and his deep understanding of the human heart. Through his richly drawn characters and intricate plot, he invites the reader to reflect on the complexities of love and the power it holds over our lives. Whether it be the bittersweet longing of unrequited love or the passionate intensity of forbidden desire, Hardy’s novel leaves an indelible mark on the reader’s heart, reminding us of the enduring power of love in all its forms. Religion and Spirituality The novel is set during a time of great national fervour and patriotism when a French invasion of Britain was anticipated. The novel also highlights as the French could anytime invade Britain, the emotions of the British people who feared an invasion were already cautious mid way through the novel.The Trumpet Major, which is regarded as a minor novel by Hardy, has recently received much critical attention (Harvey 104). The strength of the novel lies in Hardy's style and his description of the English countryside awaiting Napoleon's invasion, as well as country fairs, army camps, royal parties and weddings. Hardy, who had a lot of admiration and sympathy for the British military men, provides meticulous descriptions of contemporary weaponry and military uniforms as well as detailed facts about the British army and the navy. The Trumpet Major played an important role in Thomas Hardy's literary development, but as Beat Riesen has written, it may in fact be taken as a rather minor side-product of the phase of development which eventually brought forth The Woodlanders, Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure and, after further years, the unstageable drama in verse, The Dynasts (99). The novel's little flaw — a plagiarised paragraph — seems to be negligible today. After all, a novel is essentially an ingenious patchwork of more or less explicit borrowings from other writers. Related material Anne Garland, who lives with her widowed mother in a mill owned by Miller Loveday, has three suitors: the local squire's nephew Festus and the miller's two sons, Robert and John. While Festus' aggressive pursuit deters the young woman from considering him as a husband, the indecisive Anne wavers between light-hearted Bob and gentle, steadfast John. But as their Wessex village prepares for possible invasion by Napoleon's fleet, all find their destinies increasingly tangled with the events of history. The Loveday brothers, one a sailor and one a soldier, must wrestle with their commitments to their country and their feelings for Anne. Lyrical and light-hearted, yet shot through with irony, The Trumpet-Major (1880) is one of Hardy's most unusual novels and a fascinating tale of love and desire. Read more Details Additionally, “The Trumpet-Major” stands out for its strong female protagonist, Anne Garland. In contrast to the passive and victimized female characters found in many of Hardy’s other works, Anne is portrayed as independent, resourceful, and determined. Her character challenges traditional gender roles and offers a refreshing perspective on women’s agency during the time period.

One of the central themes in the novel is the limited agency afforded to women during this time period. Through the character of Anne Garland, Hardy portrays the struggles faced by women who were expected to conform to societal expectations of femininity. Anne, a young and spirited woman, finds herself torn between her desire for independence and the pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. As the daughter of a miller, she is expected to marry and settle down, but her aspirations for a more fulfilling life clash with these expectations. Overall, Anne Garland is a complex and compelling character who embodies the struggles and contradictions of women in the 19th century. Her journey throughout the novel is one of self-discovery and growth, as she learns to navigate the challenges of love, duty, and societal expectations. Themes and Motifs This seems a shame to me, on the basis of a few recent forays into the “minor” Hardy. I enjoyed my one novel of ingenuity to date, the Wilkie Collinsesque Desperate Remedies, and I was intrigued by my first venture into Hardyan romance and/or fantasy, the bizarre, perverse The Well-Beloved. Minor Hardy is more restless and unpredictable than major Hardy, and less uniformly tragic and monumental. Where the canonical novels have an impressive, granitic unity of aesthetic purpose (such that they all tend to merge into one in my memory), the non-canonical ones are much more erratic; you never know quite which Hardy will show up.Hardy’s exploration of music and culture in “The Trumpet-Major” reflects the broader societal changes occurring during the Napoleonic era. Music was not only a form of entertainment but also a means of expressing national identity and political ideologies. The novel captures the tension between tradition and progress, as the villagers grapple with the influence of the military band on their way of life. One of the most notable aspects of Thomas Hardy’s novel, “The Trumpet-Major,” is its enduring influence on subsequent works of literature and adaptations in various art forms. Since its publication in 1880, the novel has captivated readers and inspired numerous adaptations, showcasing its timeless appeal and literary significance. Matilda Johnson – Soubrette: Soubrette was a minor character in Commedia dell'arte, who sometimes married Harlequin, sometimes Pantaloon. Like Matilda, she is characterised by her loose morals, love of life and enjoyment of intrigue. Anne’s character is shaped by her experiences and her relationships with the men in her life. She is the daughter of a farmer and has grown up in a rural community where women are expected to be submissive and obedient. However, Anne rebels against these expectations and asserts her independence by refusing to marry Bob, who is her father’s choice for her husband.

From this point the novel slips into farce with confusion, mistaken identity, dissemblance, secrecy, pretence and so much else which causes Anne to ‘feel that she did not like life particularly well; it was too complicated…’ (chapter 30). John sees Robert and Anne canoodling and immediately decides to help his brother’s suit. He pretends to be in love with an actress (they assume her to be Matilda who plays along). The whole episode at the theatre is full of smoke and mirrors. Even the news brought to the King of a great triumph at the Battle of Cape Finisterre is what, in reality, not a victory because the real Admiral Sir Robert Calder was court-martialled and severely reprimanded rather than being seen as the hero as initially assumed (chapter 30). When the first performance is over, the curtain falls and the final act begins the farce of ‘No Song for Supper’. I am assuming that Hardy means No Song No Supper by Stephen Storace which itself has a complicated plot of pretence, disguise, separations, overheard conversations…etc… rather like The Trumpet-Major wherein it appears as a theatrical episode. The Trumpet-Majorappeared in monthly instalments in the magazineGood Words, running from January to December 1880. In October 1880 it was published by Smith, Elder & Co. in three-volume form. Overall, while “The Trumpet-Major” may not be as widely studied or celebrated as some of Hardy’s other works, it is a valuable addition to his literary canon. Its departure from his usual themes and settings, its lighter tone, and its strong female protagonist make it a unique and noteworthy piece of literature in its own right. Critical Reception and InterpretationsThe novel portrays a society deeply divided by class distinctions, where one’s social standing determines their opportunities, relationships, and even their sense of self-worth. The protagonist, Anne Garland, finds herself caught between two worlds – the lower class she was born into and the upper-class aspirations she harbors. Through his exploration of politics and power, Hardy raises questions about the nature of authority and the consequences of its abuse. He exposes the flaws and limitations of those in positions of power, highlighting the potential for corruption and manipulation. By doing so, Hardy invites readers to reflect on the broader implications of political decisions and the responsibility of those in power to act in the best interest of the people they govern. Clifford, Emma. “The 'Trumpet-Major Notebook' and The Dynasts,” The Review of English Studies, Vol. 8(30) 1957, 149-161. Furthermore, “The Trumpet-Major” explores the impact of war on the wider community. Hardy paints a vivid picture of the disruption and upheaval caused by conflict, as families are torn apart, homes are destroyed, and livelihoods are shattered. The novel captures the collective fear and uncertainty that permeate society during times of war, highlighting the resilience and strength of individuals as they strive to rebuild their lives amidst the chaos. Despite the mixed reception, “The Trumpet-Major” remains an important work in Hardy’s literary canon. Its exploration of themes such as love, war, and societal expectations continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike. Whether viewed as a historical novel, a social commentary, or a character study, “The Trumpet-Major” offers a rich and nuanced reading experience that invites further analysis and interpretation. Adaptations and Influences