Thomas Hardy’s “Tony Kytes, The Arch-Deceiver” Essay Example

familiar with, like "Nunny watch" (which refers to a tangled mess), "a struck with the truth o't'," "banns" (meaning the legal announcement of a wedding), "dashing" (referring to someone who is smart and lively), and "swound" (which means to faint). By employing these words and phrases, Hardy effectively establishes the setting of the story in the latter half of the 19th century.

Women's futures were frequently dictated by their fathers, who held the power to select their husbands. However, in rural working-class societies, women had a bit more independence when it came to choosing their life partners.

Bill Naughton's play "Spiv In Love" is set in a different era than Thomas Hardy's story "Tony Kytes". While Hardy's title includes the phrase "The Arch Deceiver", Naughton's title uses the term "Spiv", which provides a clue to the time period of the story. "Spiv" is a British slang term used to describe a man who is deceitful or dresses in a flashy and dishonest manner.

Bill Naughton's Spiv incorporates various colloquial speech, typical of the era and the characters portrayed. Examples include: "Summink," "What," "Was," and "Bob." Additionally, the author refers to a popular weapon used in gang fights as a "Knuckle Duster."

According to the Spiv, he enjoyed displaying his women to his friends in the dancehall or pubs. He mentioned that he might even consider hitting his girlfriend to emphasize his point. Additionally, he stated that he saw no issue with his outlook on women.

Both Tony Kytes and the Spiv exhibit a strong attraction towards women. This is evident when the Spiv states, "I can't turn my back on women who looks up to me and thinks I

am somebody, even if, what you might say, I cant bear the sight of her otherwise," and Tony Kytes is known for being popular with women.

It appears that Tony Kytes is more innocent than the other person, but in reality, he is not. This is evident when he encounters Milly and wants to avoid causing any trouble for Unity. He refers to Unity as "dearest Unity" and displays a great amount of confidence and persuasiveness as he convinces her to hide in the wagon.

Hannah, who rejected Tony's marriage proposal, referred to him as a "deceptive liar." However, her decision was influenced by her father's concern over the scratch on her face.

I believe that Tony Kytes is not a reflection of the current societal standards. His father attempts to convince him that it is disgraceful to be seen with someone he is not betrothed to.

The Spiv possesses a "macho" demeanor that mirrors his social status. He sees women as possessions and takes pleasure in displaying them to his friends in dance halls and pubs. Unlike Spiv, Tony Kytes deceives his romantic partners to a greater extent.

Spiv demonstrates his comical side in the following statement: "I don't mind participating in knife fights, but I do mind if my clothes get ruined."

Overall, despite their flaws, both Tony Kytes and the gentler character in the story captivate the audience. Tony Kytes may seem kind-hearted, but he conceals a deceptive and manipulative nature. Nevertheless, both characters are shaped by the social and cultural contexts they exist in.