Covering a wide range of topics and approaches, this collection shows how Hardy's writing continues to provoke its readers to re-examine important issues in literary criticism and critical and cultural theory.

For more than 30 years, books and essays on Thomas Hardy have been at the forefront of developments in academic literary studies. This collection brings together readings of Hardy's work by established and emerging critics which also reflect on continuities and changes in contemporary literary studies. Covering a wide range of topics and approaches, "Thomas Hardy and Contemporary Literary Studies" shows how Hardy's writing continues to provoke its readers to re-examine important issues in literary criticism and critical and cultural theory. Contributors include Terry Eagleton and J. Hillis Miller.

A note on texts used
introduction - Hardy and literary studies at the turn of the century, T. Dolin &
P. Widdowson
flesh and spirit in Thomas Hardy, T. Eagleton
Hardy and the limits of culturalism, G. Davidson
speech acts, decisions, and community in "The Mayor of Casterbridge", J. Hillis Miller
Hardy or James? thoughts on academic literary discrimination today, S. During
Hardy, barbarism and the transformations of modernity, B. Neilson
"A Laodicean" - Hardy and the philosophy of money, R. Ebbatson
story, history, allegory - some ironies of "Jude the Obscure" from a Benjamin perspective, M. Hollington
the contemporary, the all - liberal politics and the origins of Wessex, T.Dolin
"saying that now you are not as you were" - Hardy's "Poems of 1912-13", L.M. Shires
Hardy, history and recorded music, T. Armstrong
Hardy and contemporary textual studies - authorial intention in "The Trumpet Major", M. Rimmer
Thomas Hardy at the end of two centuries - from page to screen, P. Widdowson
works cited.