Final answer:
Thomas Hardy's novels and poetry are best characterized as pessimistic and atheistic, reflecting the cultural shift in Victorian society where the prevalence of religious belief diminished with social and scientific changes. His work does not align with the romantic praise of nature or idealism but rather portrays a bleak realism and critical view of institutional constraints on individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question that the student has asked concerns the themes and characteristics of Thomas Hardy's literary work in the context of Victorian culture. Thomas Hardy's writing predominantly reflects Victorian disillusionment with the established order and the 'disappearance of God', a phrase that refers to the diminishing authority of traditional religious beliefs in an era of socioeconomic change and scientific advancement. Hardy's works are characterized by a stark realism that addresses the struggles of ordinary people against an indifferent universe. This tone is often described as pessimistic, and it is informed by his critical exploration of social constraints and the human condition within the rigid moral framework of Victorian society. His texts frequently suggest a questioning or outright rejection of organized religion, leading to an interpretation of his worldview as potentially atheistic.
Among the options provided, (a) Romantic and idealistic, (b) Optimistic and religious, (c) Pessimistic and atheistic, and (d) Uplifting and moralistic, the most accurate description of Thomas Hardy's work would be (c) Pessimistic and atheistic. Hardy's portrayal of the human experience does not fit neatly within the bounds of Romantic idealism, utopian optimism, or moralistic uplift. Instead, it is marked by a portrayal of the struggling individual in a universe that may seem devoid of a benevolent deity, pointing towards option (c) as the correct answer to the question.
In contrast, the Romantic movement, exemplified by writers like William Wordsworth, John Keats, and Percy B. Shelley, glorified nature, ordinary people, the historical past, and the capacity for intense emotion over rational thought. This movement, while declining by Hardy's time, had a lasting influence on the view of poetry as a genuine voice for personal expression, emotion, and social criticism, yet Hardy's direction diverged significantly from these earlier romantic ideals.