Through a study of his verse and fiction the author attempts to present Hardy's seemingly conflicting views about the nature of God and His relationship with man. Also included is an assimilation of the philosophical influences on Hardy's writing, including Schopenhauer and Comte.

The complaining door; nature, Darwin, and the pattern in the carpet; the "Great Adjustment" - evolutionary meliorism in "The Dynasts"; freedom, failure, and fate - reading the web of Wessex; fascination and forgiveness; he resolves to say no more.