The plot of the novel takes place in a specific place-Hardy's Wessex. The protagonists in the novel are all poor peasants, and Hardy expressed deep sympathy for these civilians. Therefore, economic instability has become the theme of his works. Based on the reality of farmers, this paper discusses microeconomic problems, such as unemployment, homelessness and agricultural reform-new technologies of farms and enterprises. According to Hardy's philosophy, personality and environment are closely related.

Therefore, the paper also discusses some social phenomena caused by economic poverty, such as alcoholism, superstition, female ignorance, economic inequality and ideological instability. Hardy exposed the persecution of individuals by the cruel social system.