The Heath is described as "Ancient, unchanging, untamable, sombre and tremendous..." (ibid) www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=6200808

Grimsditch also sees a relationship of the Heath to the characters, particularly the character of Eustacia. "It is in accord with moods of loneliness, melancholy and even tragedy, and these moods predominate in the nature of its adopted child, Eustacia... " (ibid)

In essence the Heath represents the dominant mood and symbol of the book. It is against this background that the activities and relationships of the main characters are meant to be understood.

The heath is the dominant symbol of the work; indeed, some critics have called it the dominant character. Each character's response to the heath brands him inalterably in the scheme of Hardy's world. Wild, fertile, impassive, and primal, the heath provides the backdrop and the energy against which all action must be judged.

Jekel 90)

The above assessment by Jekel is founded on...
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