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Hardy’s vision of tragedy

Introduction : Vision of Tragedy in the novel Tess of D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. It includes explanation of Tragedy, inner and outer conflict, emotional impact and causes.

The main considerations in tragedy

  • First, what sort of persons are the victims of suffering?
  • Second, what are the causes of disaster or catastrophe?
  • Third, what is the emotional reaction of the audience?
  • Fourth, what is the writer’s view of human nature?
  • Fifth, what type of conflict is used?

A democratic choice of characters

What sort of person are victim of suffering? The victim of sufferings are the natives of the countryside (Wessex’s Folk) ordinary men and women. Here, Tess presents the peasantry. The sufferings of Tess and his family also the suffering of other milk maids. They all belongs to peasantry and lower class.

The causes of disaster

The causes of Tess’s suffering is the responsibility of Angel and Alec, of society and ruling class. First, Alec’s lust ruined the Tess and then, Angels conventional thinking ruined the Tess.

Secondly Tess herself responsible for her sufferings (Tragic flaw). Her intense sense of guilt and faithful nature ruined her life. But, these two aspects of life makes her character unforgettable.

Thirdly her fate also play important role in her sufferings. Her life is full of chances and coincidence. Like, death of prince, seduction and written confession goes under carpet etc. Hardy quotes the words of Shakespeare: “As the flies to the wanton boys, we are to the gods they kill us for their support.”

Hardy’s vision of tragedy

Tess as a pure woman

Tess as a Pure Woman according to Hardy

Thomas Hardy used the title of the novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles and A pure woman is the subtitle of the play. So, its means that Hardy himself consider Tess as a pure woman.

Pure in attention and soul, not physically

Tess is not pure physically as Hardy himself calls her “maiden no more” but the loss of virginity under the circumstances like rape does not loss the purity. She is pure in her attention and soul.

Tess’s association with Alec

Tess’s association with Alec shows her unwillingness at every point. When Alec seduced her she was in sleep. She becomes his mistress when her family out of shelter. Murder of Alec also shows her unwillingness of this association.

Tess’s irritation at Alec‘s progresses

When Alec tries to put strawberries into her mouth she tells him that she eat herself and also shows irritation from this type of behavior of Alec. Then on the way to Trantridge Alec tries to kiss her but she tries to avoid him she dropped the hat and came down and pass the remaining way by foot. As his employee she reserved her but Alec advances.

Seduction under situations

When Alec seduced her at that time she was physically tired, mentally drowsy due to clash with mates and In half sleep condition. Tess says to Alec when leaving Trantridge: “My eyes were dazed by you for little, and that was all. I didn’t understand your meaning till it was two late”.

Tess as a pure woman
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