Tess of D'Ubervilles: Context & Writers Techniques

Context

Brief Biography of Thomas Hardy

Early Life:

• Thomas Hardy was born and raised in a small, rural village in Dorset, England. His father was a stonemason, and his mother educated him until he was eight years old. Education and Career:

• Due to financial constraints, Hardy could not attend university and instead became an architect's apprentice. He later shifted his focus to writing, setting most of his stories in the Dorset area.

  

Personal Life:

• Hardy married Emma Gifford in 1874, and her death in 1912 had a profound effect on him. He married his secretary, Florence Dugdale, in 1914. Hardy faced controversy and censorship for his novels, which led him to focus on poetry after the publication of Jude the Obscure.

Major Works:

• Hardy is best known for Far from the Madding Crowd, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure. He died in 1928 at the age of 87.

The Novel's History

• When and Where Written: Tess of the d'Urbervilles was written between 1887 and 1891 in Dorchester, England.
• Publication: The novel was first published in 1891.
• Initial Reception: The novel faced significant controversy and was often censored due to its frank portrayal of sexuality and social criticism.

Literary Contexts

Historical and Political Context

• Long Depression: The novel is set during the first part of the Long Depression (1873-1879), a period of economic hardship that particularly affected the poor.
• Social Changes: The late 19th century in England saw a shift from an agricultural to an industrial culture and the decline of the old aristocracy. Names like "d'Urberville" had lost their power, serving more as status symbols for the newly wealthy.
• Sexual Morality: Victorian England's conservative views on sexual morality made the novel's subtitle, A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented, particularly provocative and controversial.

Cultural and Social Context

• Victorian Realism: Hardy is considered a Victorian Realist, focusing on detailed, unflinching portrayals of everyday life and social issues. His work often highlights the struggles of rural life and the harsh realities faced by women.
• Literary Influences: Hardy was influenced by the Romantic poetry of William Wordsworth and the social critiques of Charles Dickens. His style prefigures Modernist works by authors like Virginia Woolf and influenced D. H. Lawrence.

Philosophical, Religious, and Intellectual Ideas

• Fate and Destiny: The novel explores themes of fate and destiny, particularly how societal forces and personal choices impact Tess's life.
• Social Critique: Hardy critiques the rigid social structures and moral hypocrisies of Victorian society, particularly in relation to gender and class.
• Nature and Modernity: The tension between nature and modernity is a recurring theme, with the decline of rural traditions and the rise of industrialization playing a significant role in the narrative.

Useful Concepts to Be Aware of in the Novel

• Third-Person Omniscient Narration: The novel is narrated from a third-person omniscient perspective, primarily following Tess's experiences and inner thoughts.

• Realist Fiction: As a work of Victorian Realism, the novel focuses on detailed depictions of rural life, social issues, and the struggles of its characters.

• Symbolism: Hardy uses symbolism extensively, such as the changing seasons reflecting Tess's fortunes and the significance of names like "d'Urberville."

• Setting: The fictional county of Wessex, based on Hardy's native Dorset, serves as the novel's setting, emphasizing the rural landscape and its influence on the characters.

• Tragic Heroine: Tess is portrayed as a tragic heroine, whose life is marked by suffering, injustice, and a struggle against societal forces.

Writer's Techniques

Structure and Plot

Non-linear Narrative

• Hardy employs a non-linear narrative structure, using flashbacks and foreshadowing to enhance the complexity of the story.
• This technique allows the reader to understand Tess's background and the inevitability of her fate, creating a sense of tragic destiny.

Phase Divisions

• The novel is divided into seven phases, each representing a significant period in Tess's life.
• These phases highlight the episodic nature of Tess's journey, emphasizing the pivotal moments that lead to her downfall.

Pacing

• The pacing of the novel varies, with slow, descriptive passages contrasting with fast-paced, dramatic events.
• This variation in pacing helps to build tension and emphasizes the emotional intensity of Tess's experiences.

Language and Style

Pastoral and Realist Language

• Hardy blends pastoral and realist language, creating a rich, descriptive style that brings the rural setting to life.
• The pastoral elements idealize the natural world, while the realist language provides a stark contrast to the harsh realities faced by the characters.

Dialect and Dialogue

• The use of dialect in the characters' speech adds authenticity to the rural setting and highlights social class distinctions.
• Tess's speech often reflects her education and upbringing, while other characters' dialects emphasize their local roots and social positions.

Symbolic Descriptions

• Hardy's descriptive passages often carry symbolic meanings, reflecting the inner states of characters or foreshadowing events.
• For example, the descriptions of nature frequently mirror Tess's emotions and the unfolding of her tragic story.

Symbols

The D'Urberville Name

• The D'Urberville name symbolizes both heritage and the burden of the past.
• Tess's connection to the name brings her both a sense of pride and a curse, leading to her tragic downfall.

The Stonehenge

• Stonehenge represents the ancient and unchangeable forces of fate.
• Tess's final refuge at Stonehenge signifies her acceptance of her destiny and the inevitability of her tragic end.

The Red Ribbon

• Tess's red ribbon symbolizes her sexuality and the societal judgments she faces.
• It is a recurring motif that marks significant moments in her life, from her seduction by Alec to her moments of despair.