Tess 论文(英美文学)(24号)

Analysis of Tess of the D’Urbervilles

学院：外语学院

姓名：葛一明

班级：B1203

学号：13

Outline: I: introduction of the novel

II: The factors of causing the tragedy of Tess

A. Poor family environment

B. Social environment and social moral standards

C. Tess’ character

III. Fatalism and pessimism of Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy was an English novelist and poet, and one of the greatest critical realistic English writers of the 19th century. He had lots of famous works in his life. And Tess of the D‟Urbervilles was the most influential and representative one of all his works. At the same time, the heroine Tess has long been regarded as the most exceptional woman character in English literary history. Under Hardy‟s pen, Tess was created as a pure and warm-hearted woman, who had the quality of endurance and self-sacrifice. While her destiny was not as beautiful as her beauty or mind. Then let‟s go together into Tess‟ sad story and experience her ups and downs life.

I. Introduction of the novel

Tess was a young woman who came from low social status, yet she endowed with the good personalities such as beauty, benevolence and diligence. One day, his father heart of their family was descendant of a nobility D‟Ubervilles. So he let Tess claim relative with a good dressing. Then the tragedy happened. Tess was seduced by Alec D‟Urbervilles and subsequently Tess pregnant. After that, she returned home and gave birth to a baby who died youthfully. Since this time, Tess‟ destiny was changed completely. People around her including the church all despised her and thought her a bad girl. Even if her own family also did not show any sympathy or say anything to comfort her, but took Tess as a shame. Then the wretch Alec wanted to compensate Tess by some money and some material conditions. But Tess refused him insistently. Although she was poor, she was a man of character. She said to Alec:” I have never love you, Alec, and I never will. I don‟t even hate you, I feel nothing. You are just dust and ashes to me now”. After reading these, I appreciated Tess very much. I thought she was so righteous and proud. The most important thing was that she did not low her head to evil influence. Even in that society, money and position meant

almost everything, she still could be herself. But God did not stop playing jokes with such good a girl.

In order to avoid this kind of environment, after a long-time release of spirit, Tess went a meadow working as a milkmaid. Then she fell in love with the son of a gentleman, Angel Clare. However she showed her innocence again. She believed Angel would forgive her past. So she confessed all her past to Angel at the wedding night. But the result was totally opposite to what she thought before. Angel could n‟t forgive her and abandoned Tess even though he also made the same mistake. What left Tess was just the endless waiting. Finally Tess decided to gave up on Angel. Under the circumstances, Alec appeared again and wanted to seduce her to go back to him by materials temptation. Tess became numb. For giving a comfortable life to her family, this time, she did not reject. To her surprise, Angel came back and wanted to forgive Tess later. For the sake of getting rid of the entanglement of Alec and going with Angel, Tess killed Alec. Without expression，Tess became a murder and was sentenced to death.

II. The factors of causing the tragedy of Tess

After finishing it, I couldn‟t help crying. I wanted ask why, why so good a girl would got such a bad ending. What caused that? Family environment, cruel society or Tess herself? I thought maybe all they did. But I think her family factor is just the blasting fuse.

A. Poor family environment

Tess was the daughter of a very poor villager. Her parent was very benighted. On one hand, her family was very poor. Her father was a lazy vendor and her mother was a vulgar wash worker. She had young brothers and sisters who needed care. “Every