Author(s)

Li Lingling

Corresponding Author

Li Lingling

Abstract

Tess of the D’Urbervilles, a representative work of Hardy’s, is one of “series of Wessex”, which expresses sublimity and decency of classical beauty. It describes the tragedy of a country girl. She possesses the qualities of beauty, purity, kindness, diligence and tolerance. She pursues freedom based on self-esteem instead of satisfying vanity by marrying a rich man. She is so pure that she uses her behaviors to protest against the times by her actions. Her tragedy is caused by society. At the same time, Alec and Angel stand for two kinds of social forces putting Tess into abyss. They straightly create the tragedy toward Tess. All of those descriptions reveal that capitalist systems and laws mistreat women in the Victorian period. From the aspect of analyzing context, gradual establishment of Tess’s image and her life experiences are formed under such historical background. The novel was written in the nineteenth century of the Victorian period. At that time, industrial civilization conflicted with traditional life style. Capitalistic culture struck with moral conception, legal system and religious belief. Tess, as a woman who comes from a poor family, not only suffers insults but also curbed by traditional thinking. The law is imperfect and it serves for the people from the upper class. People still keeps conservative attitude toward marriage. They disdain unchaste women. It’s disloyal to their husband for dissolute behavior. Meanwhile, developments bring about new thoughts. New environment and lifestyle make female have independent consciousness. They are no longer subordinate to their husband. The wake of female consciousness makes them pursue their happiness regardless of secular vision. They follow their inward ideas. Tess experiences from an ignorant girl to a women who knows the essence of happiness. Her short but shining life suffers joys and sorrows of life and then gains regeneration. Her whole life also reflects a thorough understanding of life and marriage for ordinary women in nineteenth century. By analyzing Tess’ attitudes toward happiness, we can learn a whole society, historical background and political system in nineteenth century. The understanding of happiness is her sublimation in spirit. At the same time, we know the development of whole society[11].

Keywords

Miserable Destiny, growth, Industrial civilization, Moral conception, New ideas