Summary
In his article, Irving
Howe argues that Tess of the d’Urbervilles
“stands at the center of [Thomas] Hardy’s achievement, if not his greatest then
certainly his most characteristic” (406). Hardy had a knack, he says, for
understanding the “emotional life” (406) of women, and nowhere does it show
better than in this novel. He stakes the whole of Tess of the d’Urbervilles on this understanding, for no other character
or element comes close to mattering nearly as much as Tess herself. Irving says
that the novel wants us to move beyond judging the main character, and “move into
a kindlier climate shared by Christian charity and pagan acceptance” (408). As
for the plot, Irving reminds us that, if looked at bare bones, it is a rather
simple one made of bits of ordinary melodrama—betrayal; secrets; a series of
horrible events—that serve as the means
for Tess’s soul testing in four major episodes or acts (408-409). The article
goes on to summarize the four acts to show how the design and artistic detail
truly makes the character of Tess stand out (419). All this builds to his main
point, the “heart of the book”: the “figure of Tess herself….a woman made real
through the art of craft”, not Tess-as-symbol or Tess-as-theme. Those are
overreaches. She is instead that rare achievement of “goodness made interesting”
(421).
Analysis
“Tess is one of
the great images of human possibility, conceived in the chaste, and chastening,
spirit of the New Testament. Very few proclaimed believers have written with so
complete a Christian sentiment as the agnostic Thomas Hardy” (409) —an interesting
idea, one that surprised me. But it is true. Hardy quite plainly wants readers
to sympathize with Tess, to judge her not by what happened but for who she is.
This is in fact the goal: the heart of both Christian love and secular acceptance,
as noted above. Those two values are one and the same anyway, if honestly
considered. So perhaps in writing such a dark and hopeless novel, Hardy hoped, in
his own dark way, we would open ourselves to compassion.
you have a way with words Mr. Bickmore. and simplicity too! Hardy seemed like a deep guy and it came through in his character of Tess. I was able to relate, were you?
ReplyDeleteHe was deep, but I also feel he was a sad sort of man. Pessimism doesn't make for a joyful life.
DeleteActually, I did relate to Tess, up to a point.
Great post, Cory. I never really thought about Hardy as trying to get us to open up to compassion. I always thought of the novel as trying to get us to realize that life is hard and unfair and that there is no hope. I like the idea of something positive coming from the novel.
ReplyDeleteNice thoughts, Cory! I think Margaret also wrote about Howe's essay. I find it useful and interesting when novels can be broken down into clear cuts. It's also kinda funny that these people are discussing Tess as such a deep and important character...duh! she's the main character. hahaha! Thanks for the photos in both of your blogs too! It makes me want to watch the movie adaptation :)
ReplyDelete