Thomas Hardy – Tess of the d’Urbervilles Essay Example

of tragic situations by external forces and circumstances.

Tess's story illustrates the concept of fate and the tragic trope of a dynasty's end. Similar to Hamlet's death, Tess's demise symbolizes a sense of closure for her family line. However, the introduction of Angel and Liza-Lu signals a new beginning for another dynasty.

However, in the previous chapter, Tess is discovered at Stonehenge and urged by Angel to escape, despite the futility of such an effort. Although Tess does not resist the police, her words "I am ready" demonstrate that punishing her creates her as a victim of an immoral society. To consider Tess a tragic heroine, we must examine why we classify her as such. Tragic events are not inherently tragic but rather their nature and outcome lead us to classify them as such.

In the novel, Alec committed the act of violating Tess, which is an example of a bad deed. Although sex is not inherently bad, in this case, it counts as rape as Tess did not give her consent. Tess's purity and righteousness make her an even greater victim, and it is likely that she will become pregnant from the incident. Due to society's disdain for extramarital sex, she will be shunned.

Although Alec escapes unscathed, Tess assumes the burden of familial responsibility as the oldest child. Following a fatal horse accident, Tess feels compelled to claim kinship with Mrs d'Urberville. Upon learning of Jack Durbeyfield's illness, Tess returns home to care for him and the field. Hardy portrays Tess as an upstanding and virtuous individual, and her admirable commitment to her family is worthy of praise rather than condemnation. Despite this,

her sense of duty ultimately contributes to the tragic events that unfold throughout the novel.

Without the right nature, experiencing the same events would not lead to the same tragic effect. Building up a fondness for Tess is what creates sympathy and tragedy, and without Hardy's help, this would not have been possible. Even though certain events appear to be direct, they rely on unlikely coincidences that convey the impression that Fate itself is against Tess and her tragedy is predetermined. Tess is guided by her morality and desire to do what is right, which is why she goes against her mother's advice and tells Angel about her past with Alec, making his name seem ironic.

Tess was forgiven by her husband for her affair earlier but when she reveals something beyond her control, he doesn't forgive her. Although Tess previously gave a note to Angel, it was never received as it slipped under the carpet. This missed opportunity played a part in the tragic outcome of Tess's story. Despite being a Christian and intelligent, Angel goes against Christian values by not forgiving Tess, which is unexpected due to his family's religious background. Therefore, Hardy suggests that no one is perfect, and we cannot expect others to be flawless when we ourselves have flaws.

Although it may appear to be a mere coincidence, the universe expresses its animosity towards Tess by sending her various omens throughout the book. The crowing of the rooster in the afternoon merely indicates what is already predetermined for Tess and for the world. Alec proposes to Tess later in the story, however, when she rejects him, he exclaims, "Do you not value morality

at all?" This is particularly ironic because we are aware that Tess is a virtuous woman, whereas Alec has no moral sense. Certain characters in the novel are employed to reflect societal concerns in the 19th century.

The attitudes of society towards illegitimacy and unmarried sex are exemplified through Sorrow, Tess's illegitimate son. Tess believes that Sorrow's illness is a result of his illegitimacy. She baptises the infant herself, so that he may be 'fit' for heaven. Sorrow's name is symbolic, representing the physical entity born of Tess's own sorrow. Additionally, Alec is presented as an arrogant and immoral rapist, which reflects society's attitude towards women. Despite her innocence, Tess is condemned due to her gender while the immoral Alec goes free, regardless of his crime. The 19th-century views on marriage are also emphasized in this novel.

Tess anticipates Angel will end their marriage after confessing, but he disagrees, saying "How can you be so simple! How can I divorce you?" This mirrors prevailing beliefs in the 19th century that divorce was unacceptable. Throughout the novel, there are several references to mythology and biblical stories, either through dialogue or Hardy's narration. This highlights the significance of religion during that era, particularly when a character utters these references. Ultimately, Hardy's portrayal of Tess as a tragic heroine provokes intense emotions and reflections. The novel sparked considerable controversy upon its release and continues to do so today, though for divergent reasons.

With a 3-D perspective of the world, Hardy fashioned well-rounded characters, which set him apart from his contemporaries such as Jane Austen and George Meredith. Although numerous films and TV adaptations have been made from this

book, none have depicted the same sentiment and zeal of the original novel. It is my fervent desire that this publication endures its widespread popularity in the years to come.