Tess of the Tess of the d’Urbervillesd’Urbervilles

English IV APEnglish IV AP

Criticism for Hardy’s NovelCriticism for Hardy’s Novel The subtitle is “A Pure Woman”The subtitle is “A Pure Woman” It is novel of seduction, abandonment, and It is novel of seduction, abandonment, and

murdermurder Hardy was harshly criticized in his day by those Hardy was harshly criticized in his day by those

who argued that Tess could not possibly be who argued that Tess could not possibly be considered pureconsidered pure– She is rapedShe is raped– Births a child out of wedlockBirths a child out of wedlock– Commits murder Commits murder

Today, the novel is praised as a courageous call Today, the novel is praised as a courageous call for righting many of ills Hardy found in Victorian for righting many of ills Hardy found in Victorian society, as well as a link between late-Victorian society, as well as a link between late-Victorian literature and that of the modern eraliterature and that of the modern era

The Victorian Period The Victorian Period The industrialization of cities was diminishing the quality of life of The industrialization of cities was diminishing the quality of life of

the inhabitants of rural areasthe inhabitants of rural areas Hardy explores this idea by contrasting what is rural (and Hardy explores this idea by contrasting what is rural (and

therefore good) with what is urban (and therefore bad). therefore good) with what is urban (and therefore bad). Tess is unquestioningly innocent, she is “of the field.”Tess is unquestioningly innocent, she is “of the field.” Hardy calls the Thresher at Flintcomb-Ash “the red tyrant” and Hardy calls the Thresher at Flintcomb-Ash “the red tyrant” and

says “that the women had come to serve it.” says “that the women had come to serve it.” – As the old ways fade away, people serve machines and not each other.As the old ways fade away, people serve machines and not each other.

The Victorian period was also marked by strict adherence to social The Victorian period was also marked by strict adherence to social and moral laws. They preferred not talking about sex….Hardy and moral laws. They preferred not talking about sex….Hardy thought that produced “a literature of quackery.”thought that produced “a literature of quackery.”

In the novel, sex is associated with human nature; it is presented In the novel, sex is associated with human nature; it is presented as a natural part of life. as a natural part of life. – Alec’s seduction takes place in The Chase, an ancient wood that dates Alec’s seduction takes place in The Chase, an ancient wood that dates

back to before the time of established social morality. back to before the time of established social morality. – Notice the hypocrisy: Tess forgives Angel of his “twenty four hours” of Notice the hypocrisy: Tess forgives Angel of his “twenty four hours” of

indiscretion, but he cannot forgive her fault. indiscretion, but he cannot forgive her fault.

Women and the Victorian Women and the Victorian AgeAge

Hardy considers both the “Rights of Man” and, with equal sympathy, the Hardy considers both the “Rights of Man” and, with equal sympathy, the rights of womenrights of women

Women of the Victorian era were idealized as the helpmate of man, the Women of the Victorian era were idealized as the helpmate of man, the keeper of the home, and the “weaker sex.”keeper of the home, and the “weaker sex.”

Heroines in popular fiction were expected to be frail and virtuous (hence Heroines in popular fiction were expected to be frail and virtuous (hence the reason why Hardy’s subtitle infuriated his critics)the reason why Hardy’s subtitle infuriated his critics)

The term Victorian has come to refer to any person or group with a narrow, The term Victorian has come to refer to any person or group with a narrow, uncompromising sense of right and wrong. uncompromising sense of right and wrong.

Women were not only discriminated against by the moral code, they were Women were not only discriminated against by the moral code, they were also discriminated against by the legal code of the day. also discriminated against by the legal code of the day.

Until the 1880’s, women were unable to hold property in their own name Until the 1880’s, women were unable to hold property in their own name and the wages of rural workers would go directly to their husbands, even if and the wages of rural workers would go directly to their husbands, even if he failed to provide anything for his family. he failed to provide anything for his family.

The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 granted the right to divorce to both The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 granted the right to divorce to both men and women on the basis of adultery, but, in order to divorce her men and women on the basis of adultery, but, in order to divorce her husband, women had to prove gross cruelty and desertion. husband, women had to prove gross cruelty and desertion.

Women, like children, were best “seen, but not heard.” Women, like children, were best “seen, but not heard.” ““The Victorian middle-class wife. . .was admired upon her pedestal of The Victorian middle-class wife. . .was admired upon her pedestal of

moral superiority only so long as she remained there silently.” – Martin moral superiority only so long as she remained there silently.” – Martin Seymour-SmithSeymour-Smith

Fate and DestinyFate and Destiny The characters appear to be under the control of a The characters appear to be under the control of a

force greater than themselvesforce greater than themselves Tess is frequently called “unlucky”Tess is frequently called “unlucky” When she is raped, Hardy writes “it was meant to When she is raped, Hardy writes “it was meant to

be.” be.” Numerous events foreshadow Tess’ fallNumerous events foreshadow Tess’ fall John Durbeyfield’s meeting with the Parson is fate John Durbeyfield’s meeting with the Parson is fate

and sets the entire novel on its courseand sets the entire novel on its course Abraham and Tess’ discussion about whether or not Abraham and Tess’ discussion about whether or not

they live on a “blighted star.”they live on a “blighted star.” Prince’s death—also fatePrince’s death—also fate

– Causes Tess to feel primarily responsible for her family’s Causes Tess to feel primarily responsible for her family’s condition, thus she accepts the job against her better condition, thus she accepts the job against her better judgment.judgment.

Knowledge vs. IgnoranceKnowledge vs. Ignorance Knowledge, whether from formal education or innate sensibility, Knowledge, whether from formal education or innate sensibility,

causes conflict between those who see the truth of a situation and causes conflict between those who see the truth of a situation and those who are ignorant.those who are ignorant.

Tess and Angel both feel isolated from their parents who are Tess and Angel both feel isolated from their parents who are unable to grasp new ideasunable to grasp new ideas

The intellectual gap between Tess, who has had formal schooling, The intellectual gap between Tess, who has had formal schooling, and her mother is huge, but Tess’s sense of wrong and right and her mother is huge, but Tess’s sense of wrong and right furthers the gap even more. furthers the gap even more.

With Angel in particular, Hardy hits on the idea that true With Angel in particular, Hardy hits on the idea that true knowledge is not just the product of schooling. knowledge is not just the product of schooling.

He contrasts Angel (not a college graduate) with his brother He contrasts Angel (not a college graduate) with his brother Cuthbert Clare, a classical scholar who marries the “priggish” Cuthbert Clare, a classical scholar who marries the “priggish” Mercy Chant. Mercy Chant.

Angel has less formal education, but recognizes Tess’s worth and Angel has less formal education, but recognizes Tess’s worth and wisely chooses her over Mercy’s religiosity. wisely chooses her over Mercy’s religiosity.

When he rejects Tess after their marriage it is because he reverts When he rejects Tess after their marriage it is because he reverts to his early teachings, the strict, moralistic beliefs of his father. to his early teachings, the strict, moralistic beliefs of his father.

Natural Law vs. Social LawNatural Law vs. Social Law Hardy’s contrast between knowledge and ignorance allows Hardy’s contrast between knowledge and ignorance allows

is also his insistence on a natural law that exists is also his insistence on a natural law that exists independent of humanity. independent of humanity.

He repeats several times in the novel that what happens to He repeats several times in the novel that what happens to Tess has not offended nature, but merely society. Tess has not offended nature, but merely society.

When she returns home pregnant, she likes to walk alone at When she returns home pregnant, she likes to walk alone at night in the countryside away from the disapproving eyes of night in the countryside away from the disapproving eyes of the townspeople. the townspeople.

““She has been made to break an accepted social law but no She has been made to break an accepted social law but no law known to the environment in which she fancied herself law known to the environment in which she fancied herself such an anomaly.” such an anomaly.”

Her shame is a “sense of condemnation under an arbitrary Her shame is a “sense of condemnation under an arbitrary law of society which had no foundation in Nature.” law of society which had no foundation in Nature.” – Victorian society, with its strict code of appropriate and Victorian society, with its strict code of appropriate and

inappropriate behavior, was anything but natural. inappropriate behavior, was anything but natural. – Shame is a product of social conditioning and not simply of Shame is a product of social conditioning and not simply of

human existence. human existence.

God and ReligionGod and Religion The “arbitrary law of society” that Hardy criticizes The “arbitrary law of society” that Hardy criticizes

springs from organized religionsprings from organized religion His religious characters are pious hypocrites, except His religious characters are pious hypocrites, except

for Angel’s father, who appears to have a good heart. for Angel’s father, who appears to have a good heart. The local parson’s hypocritical attitude forces Tess to The local parson’s hypocritical attitude forces Tess to

bury her child in the section of the cemetery bury her child in the section of the cemetery reserved for drunkards and suicidesreserved for drunkards and suicides

Alec’s appearance as a preacher is a thinly disguised Alec’s appearance as a preacher is a thinly disguised criticism of religious convictions that are held for criticism of religious convictions that are held for appearance sake. appearance sake.

The stifled atmosphere of the Clare’s home is The stifled atmosphere of the Clare’s home is contrasted to the lively atmosphere of the contrasted to the lively atmosphere of the Talbothay’s dairy. Talbothay’s dairy.