This presentations is an analysis of the concept of solitude leading the characters in the novella the fellow townsmen into new realizations.

1. Muzna AL Hooti
Hanan AL Hadi
Under the supervision of Dr. Nada AL Ajmi

2.  Argument
 The definition of solitude
 Supported by evidence from:
1. Mr. Barnet
2. Lucy
3. Mr. Downe
 Summary

3.  In the novella The Fellow Townsmen, solitude was a factor
that influenced the characters and led them into new
realizations.
 In the light of articles by Lewis (2009) and Bunkers (2008).
1. Mr. Barnet 2. Lucy 3. Mr. Downe

4.  Solitude is defined as a state of being alone although
being surrounded by people which leads to self-
awareness through a positive and constructive state of
engagement with oneself.

5. During his marriage:
 “ Barnet said nothing more, and presently sat down to
his lonely meal which was eaten abstractedly, the
domestic scene he had lately witnesses still impressed
him by its contrast with the situation here” (p. 3).
He realizes he doesn’t have a supportive family, but he is still
accepting the situation.

6. “The capacity to be alone [is] linked with self-discovery and
self-realization; with becoming aware of one’s deepest
needs, feelings and impulses” (Lewis, 2009, p. 23).
“Then in solitude and silence he brooded over the bitter
emotions that filled his heart. It was for this that he
gratuitously restored her to life and made his union with
another impossible” (p. 15).
He is aware that his wife is the obstacle between
him and Lucy, but he is still accepting.

7. After his wife’s death and Lucy’s marriage:
• “He was not seen again in his accustomed walks, or in his new house, or
in his old one. He was gone for good nobody knew whither.”
“We do not go into the desert to escape people but to learn how to find
them; we do not leave them in order to have nothing more to do with them ,
but to find out the way to do them the most good”(Merton,2003,cited by
Bunkers,2008, p22).
Leaving was his solution, but he come back to be rejected
and leaves again shows how he is accepting his situation
again.

8.  “That countenance in a remote country-road unheard of
harbor” (p. 5).
 She lost her father and now she is living alone.
She realized that she had to find a job and be independent.

9.  Being alone provides opportunity to reflect and be honest
with our selves as we examine our experiences ( Bunkers,
2008 , p23).
After Downe’s death:
o (p28): she is living alone (again) and has no children.
 She realized late that she missed her last
chance. That’s due to lack of confidence.

10.  After his wife’s death:
 He spent a lot of time crying and grieving. Also, he
wanted to honor his wife with a great tomb that he kept
thinking about.
He realized that he needs someone to take care of his kids.
Thus, he married Lucy.
Solitude is not withdrawal from ordinary life. It is
not apart from , above , better than ordinary life.
On the contrary, solitude is the very ground of
ordinary life (Merton,2000,cited by Bunkers, 2008,
p22).

11. Very often it is the solitary who has the most to say ;not
that he uses many words , but what he says is new,
substantial, unique(Bunkers, 2008 , p24)

12.  Herzog, Toby C. “Hardy’s ‘Fellow-townsmen’: A Primer for
the Novels.” Colby Library Quarterly 18.6 (1982): 231-240.
Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
 Gilmartin, Heather M. “Isolation: A Concept Analysis.” Wiley
Periodicals 48. 1 (2013): 54-60. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
 Lewis, Jerry M. “Can It Be Done Alone? Solitude and
Personality Maturation.” Psychiatrictimes. Com. Psychiatric
Times, Dec. 2009. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
 Bunkers, Sandra Schmidt. “The Gifts of Silence and Solitude.”
Nursing Science Quarterly 21.1 (2008): 22-30. Web. 27 Apr.
2014.