The Trumpet-Major (Wordsworth Classics)

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The Napoleonic Wars, and in particular the fear of invasion that pervaded Dorset at the beginning of the 19th century, were a source of fascination to Hardy from boyhood onwards.

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.

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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. In terms of literary adaptations, “The Trumpet-Major” has been adapted into stage plays, radio dramas, and even a film. These adaptations have allowed audiences to experience the story in different mediums, bringing Hardy’s characters and their struggles to life in new and exciting ways. Each adaptation offers a unique interpretation of the novel, highlighting different aspects of the plot and characters, while staying true to the essence of Hardy’s original work. If these comic characters and interludes appear exaggerated, within the grand scheme of the novel as a whole, they are perfectly acceptable. Indeed, Hardy has given a convincing explanation of the art of fiction: ‘The whole secret of fiction and the drama – in the constructional part – lies in the adjustment of things unusual to things eternal and universal. The writer who knows exactly how exceptional, and how non-exceptional, his events should be made, possesses the key to the art’.viii Elsewhere Hardy adds, ‘Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened’.ix The Daily News, Thursday November 19th 1908, Dorset Drama: Production of Mr Hardy’s "The Trumpet Major" The feeling that the characters are playing out a complex dance is not a coincidence. The story can be read as a variation on the traditional harlequinade, which in turn came from the old Italian Commedia dell'arte. In Victorian times, the harlequinade had become a popular form of theatre, burlesque and ballet. The characters and action in The Trumpet-Major mirror closely the characters and themes of this traditional form, as shown below.

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.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 One of the central themes in the novel is the juxtaposition of love and war. Hardy skillfully portrays the complexities of romantic relationships amidst the chaos of battle, demonstrating how war can both strengthen and strain the bonds between lovers. Through the characters of Anne Garland and John Loveday, readers witness the challenges they face as they navigate their feelings for each other while being torn apart by the demands of war. 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. Unfortunately, Hardy, who was now 68 years old, couldn't attend the play as he was suffering from a chill, but Emma Hardy was there. He was, however, delighted by its reception. In addition to its historical context, The Trumpet-Major also provides a fascinating look at the social and economic changes that were taking place in England during this time period. The novel explores the tensions between the traditional rural way of life and the new industrialized society that was emerging. Hardy’s portrayal of the characters and their struggles to adapt to these changes provides a compelling commentary on the social and economic issues of the time.

For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more. Another interpretation focuses on the novel’s treatment of gender roles and expectations. The protagonist, Anne Garland, is a strong-willed and independent woman who defies societal norms by pursuing her own desires and ambitions. Some critics view Anne as a feminist figure ahead of her time, while others argue that her character is limited by the constraints of the Victorian era.

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Thomas Hardy’s novel, “The Trumpet-Major,” has garnered a wide range of critical reception and interpretations since its publication in 1880. While some critics have praised the novel for its vivid portrayal of rural life and its exploration of themes such as love, duty, and societal expectations, others have been more critical of its pacing and character development.