Settings

• Many authors have chosen to examine the tension between nature and the driving, relentless force of the modernity of their time.
• Tension:

  Miller’s opening stage direction immediately highlights a contrast between the “angry orange glow” of the city and the fine melody of the flute which tells of “grass and trees and the horizon”.
• This tension between the two lies at the heart of the play: Willy is drawn to the world of nature but is driven to succeed in the city.
• Tess of the D'urbervilles

  A similar tension is seen in Tess of the D’urbervilles where Hardy depicts an ancient rural way of life in the Wessex countryside coming under pressure from the forces of industrialisation (“the ache of modernity”).
• "The ache of modernity"

  Indeed, the tragic events of the novel are set in motion after the horse, Prince, is killed, pierced through by a sharp piece of metal from the mail cart, a symbol of modernity.
• Throughout, Tess is associated with the natural world: "a genuine daughter of Nature" in Angel’s eyes.
• However, the novel follows Tess’ struggles to find happiness in a world which is rapidly changing.