Under the Greenwood Tree Summary

Under the Greenwood Tree is a pastoral romance set in the rural village of Mellstock, focusing on the courtship between Dick Dewey, a member of the village's traditional church choir, and Fancy Day, the new, educated schoolmistress. Their burgeoning love story is complicated by Fancy's aspirations for social advancement and the attentions of two other suitors: the wealthy farmer Shiner and the respected Reverend Maybold.

You should read Under the Greenwood Tree for its charming depiction of Victorian rural life, its gentle humor, and its exploration of the tension between tradition and modernity through the eyes of its endearing characters. It's a less tragic and more optimistic entry in Thomas Hardy's oeuvre, offering a refreshing contrast to his darker novels while still showcasing his keen observations of human nature and social customs.

The novel is set in the fictional village of Mellstock in rural Wessex, England, during the mid-Victorian era. It vividly portrays the close-knit community, its traditional customs like the church choir's caroling, and the introduction of new ideas and social structures, particularly through the arrival of Fancy Day and the changing role of the church music.

One memorable quote is 'She was a woman who, if she had a fault at all, had the fault of being too good.' Another is the description of the Mellstock Quire's music: 'To do good for evil is the most Christian-like return; but to do evil for good, as these men did, is the most devilish return.' These quotes capture the novel's blend of gentle irony and moral reflection.

Thomas Hardy employs a lyrical and descriptive prose style, rich in dialect and vivid imagery that brings the rural Wessex landscape and its inhabitants to life. The narrative is often infused with gentle humor and a nostalgic tone, particularly when describing the fading traditions of the Mellstock Quire, making it one of his more accessible and light-hearted works.

The detailed descriptions of the Mellstock Quire's instruments and their passionate, if sometimes out-of-tune, performances highlight the deep connection the villagers have to their traditions. Fancy Day's meticulous attention to her appearance, particularly her fashionable hats and ribbons, subtly underscores her ambition and desire to rise above her humble origins, contrasting with Dick's more rustic simplicity.

Fancy Day's initial hesitation and her flirtatious nature with both Farmer Shiner and Reverend Maybold, even after committing to Dick, subtly foreshadow the later conflict where she nearly accepts Maybold's proposal. The church's decision to replace the traditional choir with an organist hints at the broader societal changes that challenge the old ways, paralleling Fancy's own internal struggle between tradition and progress.

While not entirely unexpected given the village setting, the close-knit familial connections within the Dewey family, particularly the strong bond and shared musical passion among Dick, his father, and grandfather, emphasize the importance of community and inherited tradition. Fancy's former teacher, Miss Wilkings, serves as an unexpected confidante and source of advice, revealing Fancy's underlying anxieties about her social standing.

Fancy Day's unspoken motivation is a deep-seated desire for social and financial security, which drives her to consider proposals from wealthier men like Farmer Shiner and Reverend Maybold, even as she genuinely loves Dick. Dick Dewey, on the other hand, is motivated by a pure, almost idealized love for Fancy, tempered by a practical understanding of his own limitations and a deep connection to his family's traditions.

Fancy Day exhibits significant psychological complexity through her internal conflict between her heart's desire for Dick and her head's yearning for social advancement and comfort. She struggles with vanity and indecision, often wavering between her suitors. Dick, while seemingly straightforward, grapples with jealousy and insecurity, particularly when confronted with Fancy's more sophisticated admirers, revealing his underlying anxieties about his own worth.

A major emotional turning point occurs when Fancy Day receives and seriously considers Reverend Maybold's proposal of marriage, despite her engagement to Dick. This moment forces her to confront her true feelings and her aspirations. Another is Dick's emotional distress and subsequent confrontation with Fancy after learning of her indecision, which pushes their relationship to a critical juncture and demands honesty.

The relationship between Dick and Fancy evolves from an initial, almost whimsical infatuation into a deeper, more tested love. Their dynamic shifts from simple courtship to one marked by Fancy's indecision and Dick's steadfast devotion, ultimately strengthening when Fancy chooses love over social ambition. The relationship between the Mellstock Quire and the church also evolves, from one of cherished tradition to one of eventual replacement, highlighting the broader theme of changing times.

While the ending provides a clear resolution to Dick and Fancy's romance, the long-term implications of Fancy's personality traits – her vanity and tendency to flirt – remain somewhat open-ended. The novel suggests she has chosen love, but whether her underlying social ambitions will ever truly subside is left for the reader to ponder, hinting at potential future challenges for the couple.

Fancy Day's decision to lead on both Farmer Shiner and Reverend Maybold, even while engaged to Dick, can be seen as controversial. Her nearly accepting Reverend Maybold's proposal, only to retract it and marry Dick, showcases a moral ambiguity that some readers might find manipulative or indecisive, questioning the sincerity of her affections until the very end.

The novel ends with Dick Dewey and Fancy Day marrying in a simple, traditional ceremony, having overcome Fancy's flirtations and her temptation to marry for social advancement. Fancy ultimately chooses love and happiness with Dick over wealth and status with Reverend Maybold. The ending signifies the triumph of genuine affection and the enduring value of traditional village life, albeit with a hint that Fancy's nature might still present future challenges for their marriage.