A Pair Of Blue Eyes

Elfride Swancourt, the blue-eyed protagonist, finds herself torn between two suitors: the kind-hearted architect Stephen Smith and the older, literary Henry Knight, who also mentors Stephen. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Wessex, the novel explores themes of love, social constraints, and the sacrifices women made during that era. Hardy's vivid character development and poignant narrative offer a commentary on evolving English life and culture, while the story is notably influenced by his own relationship with Emma Gifford.