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orn than can possibly survive.” (Darwin, 2007:204) This results in a “struggle for existence”. Darwin believed that some organisms were more adaptable to the environment than others, a process that Darwin called natural selection. In other words, the organisms that were selected for survival through this natural process—host that had characteristics that favored their preservation—were the organisms that survived, (this is called“survival of the fittest”). The unfit did not survive. The fit, in turn, propagated. In this way, they passed on the variations that enabled them to survive until, according to Darwin, a new, separate species emerged. He believed that man has evolved from lower forms of life. Humans are special not because God created them in His image, but because they have successfully adapted to changing environmental conditions and have passed on their survival-making characteristics genetically.

b. The effect of the theory on the society
Darwin’s theory raised a storm of controversy. It met strong and immediate opposition from Christian theologians. They believed that Darwin’s theory contradicted the Scripture, did away with divine guidance, and substituted an automatic natural mechanism for the Creator’s designed creation. Some objected that Darwin’s theory made humans beings ordinary products of nature rather than unique beings. Others were bothered by his idea of life as a mere struggle for survival. “Wasn’t there a place in Darwinian world for moral values?” they asked. Many people also condemned Darwin for denying God’s role in creation. Gradually, however, many scientists and other intellectuals came to accept Darwin’s theory. Thomas Hardy also accepted this theory. He read many of Darwin’s works and his life and writings were deeply influenced by them. He applied Darwinism as an explanation of human nature and social reality. To some extent, the theory of evolution contributed to the decline of religion in Britain.

B. The influence of the Evolutionary Theory upon Hardy and his writings
a. The influence of the theory upon Hardy’s religious belief
       Hardy was brought up in a thick religious atmosphere. Both of his parents had great faith in Christianity. When he was young, he often went to church and intended to be a pastor in the future. As a lamb of the God, Hardy strongly believed in the God’s power. The God is the absolute authority, and everything has been decided on his will. Therefore, these kinds of thoughts may be seen in Hardy’s early works. Take Under the Greenwood Tree for example, in this book, good people has good ends. And people always turn to the Bible for help when they encounter something they cannot deal with. All of these show us Hardy’s strong belief toward the God.
     As we know, Hardy lived in an age of transition. The industrial revolution was in the process of destroying the agricultural life, and the subsequent shifting of population caused a disintegration of rural customs and traditions which had meant security, stability, and dignity for the people. It was a period when fundamental beliefs –religious, social, scientific, and political –were shaken to their core and brought in their stead the “ache of modernism.” The new philosophies failed to satisfy the emotional needs of many people. With the publishing of Darwin’s Origin of the Species, the theory of evolution swept over every field, from science to ar本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。