Analysis of Tess of D`Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy - Book Report/Review Example

 ‘Tess of D`Ubervilles’ is one of the most classic works of Thomas Hardy, which may seem superficial and shallow with the contrast on rural and urban life, or between various classes yet that isn`t the case. A deeper analysis and study on the subject matter, content and narration indicates that there are various emergent themes and depictions which are apparent only after a thorough contextual scrutiny. For this reason, to fully understand the context, various elements and tools to derive narration must always be kept in mind. For this reason, an analysis of the central character of the story, that is, Tess indicates that there is an inherent paradox in the personality of the character since she is struggling to fit into a culture but the process is quite complex. The analysis of the narration clearly depicts the inherent contradiction in Tess`s character where she tends to change her personality with situation, where she finds it difficult to relate to people she`s supposed to fit with. The author himself is aware of this paradox and thus he keeps highlighting the conflict throughout. Also, the instinctive nature of Tess as well as her inner dissonance can also be only explained by virtue of the paradox inherent in her personality. The first indication of the paradox in Tess`s character can be sensed naturally in the way how the author is sympathizing with him throughout the text of the story. The author is clearly taking the defensive front while depicting her character, either consciously or unconsciously, where he seems to explain even her immoral and unethical acts as justified, given her miserable conditions. The narrator is thus, not merely a sympathizer of Tess since she is in agony and misery throughout the journey of her life, rather at a few points the author even takes up the role of her friend. However, at the same time, the author admits to the fact that though Tess is quite close to what would be a ‘standard’women yet she`s quite difficult to understand. The author himself, again defensively, states “I have never really known her” (54:35) which is a dialogue on part of Tess`s mother who admits to Angel at one point that Tess is quite hard to read. Thus, the contradiction in the standard women that the author tries to portray lies true in context to the fact that how she`s quite difficult to read not just for other characters of the plot, but also for the readers as well. Another contradiction in her character lies in the fact that at one point Tess takes up the stand where she states that she`s just some ordinary woman with no special traits. Yet, on another point, she takes the high road and in suddenly found conscious of her extra-ordinary physical characteristics. On one hand, when her love Angel prescribed her with extravagant names to describe her beauty, she portrayed humbleness saying, “Call me Tess” (20:10-11). However, on the other hand, there were instances when the author reflected that she was truly aware of her beauty and not only that, she was quite confident on the fact that Angel had married a beautiful woman. Similarly, once she travels without company when Angel left, she guised herself and to seem unattractive she rips off her eyebrows and also ties a bandage around her chin. This particular act in itself was a paradox. If she was indeed mindful of the fact that she is just ordinary, she didn’t need to go to an extreme, the fact that she did explains the complexity of her character which is quite hard to read. Similarly, when Alec referred to her physical attributes, he over-exaggerates even the version portrayed by the author. Similarly, when Angel refers to her physical character, he takes the role of complimenting the spiritual side of the character. This three different versions are presented at the same time, confirming the paradox which the author had instilled in the text. The issue of whether or not she followed Christian beliefs is yet another paradox, another one which the author himself clearly highlights while he says, “Whatever her sins, they were not sins of intention, but of inadvertence, and why should she have been punished so persistently?” (51.8). Taking the defensive side here again puts Tess on a test on the question that whether or not she was guilty. Similarly, though she visited the church yet the traditional values dominant during the era didn’t deeply affect her. She was able to start a new life after being raped, yet again she somehow ended up with Alec again, and by the end of the story, to fulfill her desires she ended up murdering Alex, an act which can never be justified. Putting the Christian beliefs aside for a moment, the author still tried to portray her as a mythical heroine who had a hard life yet was instilled with high moral values. This particular act of murdering someone, and that too not in her defense, rather when she finds out that she had a chance to rekindle her love with Angel, negates the thought of treating her a moral character. Furthermore, there are other indications here and there deliberating that there is an inherent contradiction in her personality. For instance, she ends up getting intimate with Alec where she is clearly bold enough to take a stand and fight for herself. However, she falls prey to his strategies and herself negates the perception she had built for herself, if being a strong morally sound individual. Also, she falls prey to Alec`s desires not just once but rather twice, and in the end she takes a stance by murdering him. Here again, there is yet another inherent paradox. She didn’t take a stand once her morality was challenged when she got raped, yet, when she saw a chance to re-kindle her love with Angel, she suddenly turns into a violent and a strong women. Similarly, though she tries to portray herself as a humble being who is honest as well, yet she ends up lying to Angel when she first marries him. She only told Angel about the entire episode on Alec after she got married. Here again, firstly the proposition of her personality which dictates her being strong is negated as she wasn’t strong enough at the first place. Secondly, her honesty is challenged when she lies to the love of her time by hiding such petty information from him all the time while they were together. Also, though she claims that her love for Angel is pure and deep, yet by lying to him she again challenges the aspect. Thus, especially when it came down to her personal relationships and intimacy, she had been observed to reflect quite a shaky character which in completely in conflict with her original personality she tries to exhibit. Thus, conclusively, throughout the context of the story, there are instances which clearly contradict one another and make the character of Tess difficult to understand, yet quite intriguing and interesting. She is a woman who is strong enough to follow her instincts and go on with her life despite the fact that her past is holding her back. However, the defensive attributes in the text which the author instills can`t be justified, though she is strong and faithful, yet she isn`t as modest, moral and spiritual as the author had tried to portray. In a nutshell, how Alec refers to her at one point is the most elaborate depiction of her character anyone can even state, saying, “You temptress, Tess; you dear witch of Babylon!”  (56:125) Works Cited: Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the D'urbervilles. Champaign, IL: Project Gutenberg, 1990. Internet resource. Read More