Thomas Hardy's A Pair Of Blue Eyes: "So many people make a name nowadays, that it is more distinguished to remain in obscurity."

Elfride Swancourt, a blue-eyed beauty, faces a heart-wrenching decision between two suitors from contrasting social backgrounds: the ambitious mason's son Stephen Smith and the affluent gentleman Henry Knight. Torn between her feelings for Stephen and societal expectations represented by Henry, Elfride embodies the struggle between passion and reason. The narrative, partly autobiographical, reflects Hardy's own experiences and critiques the social hierarchies of late-Victorian England, showcasing his storytelling prowess and vivid depictions of society and landscape.