Tess of D'urberville

Compare and contrast two characters in the novel (can be a major and a minor character) and argue for their significance in the text. Are they static or dynamic characters? How does Hardy use their relationship to point to an underlying theme in the novel?

Tess of the D’Urbervilles criticizes different phenomenon and norms of the society in the Victorian era that different characters symbolize particular ideas or concepts. Two characters, Tess Durbeyfield and Joan Durbeyfield, came to my interest during my investigation and study on the themes and meanings of the text. They serve as social symbols that reveal the underlying theme to readers. In the following, the two characters will be compared and contrasted in relation to their perspectives, concepts and experiences as well as their significance in portraying themes of the novel to readers.

It is most apparent that Tess Durbeyfield is a dynamic character regarding to her journey and more significantly the change of her character. Tess, in the beginning, is portrayed to be an innocent and pure rural maiden who knows very little of maliciousness of men. She is introduced as “a mere vessel of emotion untinctured by experience” (P.12) with “large innocent eyes” (P.12) White is used to distinct her from other maidens where she stands out as a “white shape stood apart by the hedge alone” (P.15) that highlights her purity and innocence. The title of the next phase “Maiden No More” hints a change in her character, suggesting her loss of innocence. Being raped and giving birth a child, her loss of innocence is explicitly revealed when she cries in agony to her mother, “I was a child when I left this house four months ago. Why didn't you tell me there was danger in men-folk? Why didn't you warn me?” (P.87)With the acknowledgement of men’s wickedness, her character becomes reticent and reserved unlike the active and positive maiden she used to be in the beginning. White is remarkably used less to describe her appearance and clothing hence emphasizing her purity to be contaminated. Readers experience a small change in her character when she falls in love with Angel Clare that she becomes passionate and expressive (even though she attempts to hide her history). The story becomes progressively dynamic when readers expect Tess to be engaging in a felicitous marriage but is mercilessly rejected and despised of her past. The story becomes more shocking when she reencounters Alec and subdues to be his mistress. Her disloyalty to Angel depicts her desperation and fragility in succumbing to seduction that marks the disintegration of her previously strong and proud character. Another climax in the story reaches when Angel returns and Tess murdering Alec that signifies her complete loss of innocence. With hanging as a punishment of her actions, her dynamic journey marks an end to the story. It is apparent to readers of her change in characterization led by her experiences hence making Tess the most dynamic character in the novel.

In comparison, Joan Durbeyfield is a rather static character in terms of her perspective and desires towards women and class climbing. Joan, although a relatively minor character, is the key factor resulting in Tess’s dynamic journey in the novel. Her concept and desires, however, remain unchanged even after Tess’s tragic experiences. Joan’s intention to climb up to higher social class is explicit throughout the novel. She first sends Tess to the D’Urbervilles in hope that Tess’s beauty will win one of the gentlemen’s hearts hence bring the family fortune and higher social status that “For such a pretty maid as 'tis, this is a fine chance” (P.47) Upon Tess’s return, her first question is “Have you come home to be married” (P.86) that highlights on her desperation in climbing up the social ladder. She sends Tess away to be with the D’Urbervilles despite her barely knowing Alec. Preparing Tess for her departure, she dresses Tess that she thinks “it will be wiser of 'ee to put your best side outward”(P.48) Her intentions reveal her concepts of a typical working class family who uses marriage to seek fortune instead of believing hard work pays off. It is suggested that Joan’s evaluation of a woman’s worthiness is based on her beauty instead of her abilities that “her face” is the “trump card” (P.52) Joan becomes hysterical upon the fact that Tess is not married to Alec that she blames for Tess being selfish that “Why didn't ye think of doing some good for your family instead o' thinking only of yourself” (P.87) It is portrayed that Joan is vastly concerned with Tess’s marriage with Angel that she warns her daughter “on no account do you say a word of your Bygone Trouble to him.” (P.204) in order to safeguard her marriage. It is apparent that Joan sees Tess’s past very lightly that she “haunting episode of bygone days was to her mother but a passing accident” (P.205) To her, the prosperity and wealth brought by her daughter’s marriage is of vast importance regardless of her daughter’s virtual or feelings. Joan’s perspective and desires are once again shown to be unchanged hence making her a static character in the novel.

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