Research Paper on Thomas Hardy
The theme of tragedy is often discussed in terms of this book. Fascinated by Greek tragedy, Hardy uses tragic circumstances to enhance the Wessex countryside and its inhabitants. By doing so he not only develops his story, but attains a certain grandeur for his novel. His first attempts at tragedy were The Return of the Native and The Mayor of Casterbridge, but Tess of the d'Urbervilles is the culmination of his efforts. In this work, Hardy projects ancient drama into modern novel form. To accomplish this, he models his book after Aristotle's formula for tragedy, although he focuses on a young country girl instead of a tragic hero. His many classical and Shakespearian allusions add strength to his modern tragedy.
Source Citation:
Sprechman, Ellen Lew. "Tess of the dUrbervilles." DISCovering Authors. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. EAST CHAMBERS HIGH SCHOOL. 3 May. 2010
In Phase the Second: A Maiden No More, (12–15) Tess must now live with the consequences of Alec's violation. It is now October, four months after her arrival, when Tess sets out to return home. "[I]t was terribly beautiful to Tess to-day, for since her eyes last fell upon it she had learnt that the serpent hisses where the sweet birds sing. . . ." Alec makes an unsuccessful bid for her forgiveness, stating that he is "ready to pay to the uttermost farthing." Tess deserts Alec along the road and soon encounters a sign painter, "an artizan of some sort," whose signs preach against vice and sin. "Thy, Damnation, Slumbereth, Not. 2 Pet. ii 3," which message, "against the peaceful landscape . . . [in] vermillion words shone forth." When Tess finally confronts her mother with the rape and asks why she did not warn Tess about the dangers of "men-folk," Mrs. Durbeyfield clings to the same ignorant and misguided belief that Tess should have compelled Alec to marry her for her own good and the benefit of the impoverished Durbeyfields. By now, Tess has fallen into abject
Source Citation:
Sprechman, Ellen Lew. "Tess of the dUrbervilles." DISCovering Authors. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. EAST CHAMBERS HIGH SCHOOL. 3 May. 2010
In Phase the Second: A Maiden No More, (12–15) Tess must now live with the consequences of Alec's violation. It is now October, four months after her arrival, when Tess sets out to return home. "[I]t was terribly beautiful to Tess to-day, for since her eyes last fell upon it she had learnt that the serpent hisses where the sweet birds sing. . . ." Alec makes an unsuccessful bid for her forgiveness, stating that he is "ready to pay to the uttermost farthing." Tess deserts Alec along the road and soon encounters a sign painter, "an artizan of some sort," whose signs preach against vice and sin. "Thy, Damnation, Slumbereth, Not. 2 Pet. ii 3," which message, "against the peaceful landscape . . . [in] vermillion words shone forth." When Tess finally confronts her mother with the rape and asks why she did not warn Tess about the dangers of "men-folk," Mrs. Durbeyfield clings to the same ignorant and misguided belief that Tess should have compelled Alec to marry her for her own good and the benefit of the impoverished Durbeyfields. By now, Tess has fallen into abject