Everybody is so talented nowadays that the only people I care to honor as deserving real distinction are those who remain in obscurity.

Victoria Period:

Thomas Hardy (1840~1928)

Procedures

• 1. A brief introduction to the biography.

• 2. The points of views.

• 3. Artistic features of his works.

• 4. The Main points of the selected works.

• 5.Relevent exercise.

• Major works

1. Evaluation: naturalist (D. H. Lawrence; Theodore Dreiser; George Eliot), also critical realist writer (Dickens)

2. his works: Wessex Novels 　　 The Return of the Nature; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Tess of the D‘Urbervilles; Jude the Obscure3. Features: nostalgic (Washington Irving; F.Scott Fitzergerald;

William Faulkner), also pessimistic4. Naturalism: Darwin‘s idea of "survival of the fittest"

　　 (1)Man is born with tragic, inevitably bound by his own hereditary traits　　 (2)Man proves powerless before fate however he tries, he seldom escapes his doomed destiny

5. Tess of the D‘Urbervilles:　　 (1)criticize the society, hypocrisy of the society　　 (2)nauralism,the misery, poverty Tess suffers

Biography (Life and Career)

• Son of a mason, Thomas Hardy was born in Dorsetshire, Southwest of England, the area that later became the famous "Wessex" in many of his novels.

• In 1871, his first novel Desperate Remedies was published anonymously. However, the real success of his literary career came with Under the Greenwood Tree (1872).

• The publication of Far from the Madding Crowd in 1874 finally enabled him to give up architectural work for writing.

• In the following twenty-three years he produced sixteen local-colored novels until 1896 when he was tired of all the criticism against his last two books: Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891) and Jude the Obscure (1896). The hostile reception of the novel sent him back to his first love -- poetry.

• From then on, he abandoned novel-writing and devoted himself to poetic creation. Of the eight volumes by him--918 poems in all – the most famous is The Dynasts, a long epic-drama about the Napoleonic Wars which came out in three parts between 1903~ 1908. On January 11, 1928, this last important novelist and poet of the 19th century died. He was buried with impressive ceremonies in the Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey but his heart was brought back to his birthplace.

Dorsetshire

Desperate Remedies

Far from the Madding Crowd

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Jude the Obscure

The Dynasts

Major worksMajor works

Hardy's novels are all Victorian in date, i.Hardy's novels are all Victorian in date, i.e. , before 1900. Most of them are set in We. , before 1900. Most of them are set in Wessex, the fictional primitive and crude ruessex, the fictional primitive and crude rural region which is really the homeplace hral region which is really the homeplace he both loves and hates. They are known foe both loves and hates. They are known for the vivid description of the vicissitudes or the vivid description of the vicissitudes of people who live in an agricultural envirof people who live in an agricultural environment menaced by the forces of invading nment menaced by the forces of invading capitalism. capitalism.

His best local- colored works are his later oneHis best local- colored works are his later ones, such as s, such as The Return of the NativeThe Return of the Native (1878), (1878),

The Trumpet MajorThe Trumpet Major (1880), (1880), The Mayor of CaThe Mayor of Casterbridgesterbridge (1886), (1886), The WoodlandersThe Woodlanders (1887), (1887), Tess of the D'UrbervillesTess of the D'Urbervilles (1891) and (1891) and Jude the Jude the ObscureObscure (1896) . These works, known as "no (1896) . These works, known as "novels of character and environment", are the mvels of character and environment", are the most representative of Hardy as both a naturaliost representative of Hardy as both a naturalistic and a critical realist writer.stic and a critical realist writer.

The points of viewsThe points of views

1. Nostalgic touch for declining rural life.1. Nostalgic touch for declining rural life.

2. Attitude toward science and 2. Attitude toward science and contemporary philosophycontemporary philosophy

3. His combined force of "nature" --view of 3. His combined force of "nature" --view of FatalismFatalism

2.1 Nostalgic touch for declining 2.1 Nostalgic touch for declining rural life.rural life.

Living at the turn of the century, Hardy is often regarded as Living at the turn of the century, Hardy is often regarded as a transitional writer. In him we see the influence from both ta transitional writer. In him we see the influence from both the Victorian and the modern. As some people put it, he is inthe Victorian and the modern. As some people put it, he is intellectually advanced and emotionally traditional. ellectually advanced and emotionally traditional.

In his Wessex novels, there is an apparent In his Wessex novels, there is an apparent nostalgic touch in nostalgic touch in his description of the simple and beautiful though primitive rhis description of the simple and beautiful though primitive rural lifeural life, which was gradually declining and disappearing as , which was gradually declining and disappearing as England was marching fast into an industrial country. And wEngland was marching fast into an industrial country. And with those ith those traditional characters he is always sympathetic and traditional characters he is always sympathetic and mourns over their failure and misfortunemourns over their failure and misfortune. .

2.2 Attitude toward science and 2.2 Attitude toward science and contemporary philosophycontemporary philosophy

On the other hand, On the other hand, the immense impact of the immense impact of scientific discoveries and modern philosophic scientific discoveries and modern philosophic thoughts upon the man is quite obviousthoughts upon the man is quite obvious. In his . In his youth, Hardy was very interested in Darwin, youth, Hardy was very interested in Darwin, Huxley, Spencer, Mill and other scientists and Huxley, Spencer, Mill and other scientists and philosophers of the new school. He read philosophers of the new school. He read Darwin's Origin of Species and accepted his Darwin's Origin of Species and accepted his theory of "survival of the fittest". theory of "survival of the fittest".

His reading of Spencer‘s First Principle inspired his His reading of Spencer‘s First Principle inspired his pessimistic determinism and led him to the belief thpessimistic determinism and led him to the belief that man’s fate was pre-determinedly tragic. at man’s fate was pre-determinedly tragic.

Their influence led him to accept a reluctant agnostiTheir influence led him to accept a reluctant agnosticismcism 不可知论 不可知论 and to see the world as the expressiand to see the world as the expression of a mysterious, unconscious "will" uncaring for on of a mysterious, unconscious "will" uncaring for the individual. The blind thrusts of this indifferent uthe individual. The blind thrusts of this indifferent universe, the impulses of the "will" and the operation niverse, the impulses of the "will" and the operation of chance seemed to him to belong to the realm of eof chance seemed to him to belong to the realm of evil.vil.

2.3 His combined force of "nature" 2.3 His combined force of "nature" --view of Fatalism--view of Fatalism

In his works, man is shown driven by a combined force of In his works, man is shown driven by a combined force of

""nature", both inside and outsidenature", both inside and outside, and inevitably , and inevitably bound by his own inherent nature and hereditary bound by his own inherent nature and hereditary traits which prompt him to go and search for traits which prompt him to go and search for some specific happiness or success and set him in some specific happiness or success and set him in conflict with the environment. The outside conflict with the environment. The outside nature --the natural environment or Nature nature --the natural environment or Nature herself- is shown as some mysterious herself- is shown as some mysterious supernatural force, very powerful but half-blind, supernatural force, very powerful but half-blind, impulsive and uncaring to the individual will, impulsive and uncaring to the individual will, hope, passion and suffering. hope, passion and suffering.

Though naturalism plays an important part in Though naturalism plays an important part in some of his works, Hardy is never far away from some of his works, Hardy is never far away from the real life and the existing society. Most of his the real life and the existing society. Most of his works are devoted to a realistic presentation of works are devoted to a realistic presentation of life, and there is often bitter and sharp criticism life, and there is often bitter and sharp criticism and even open defiance of the wicked, and even open defiance of the wicked, hypocritical and corrupted Victorian institution, hypocritical and corrupted Victorian institution, convention and morality convention and morality

Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ structureTess of the D’Urbervilles’ structure

The novel has a' cyclical pattern, which can be divided The novel has a' cyclical pattern, which can be divided into into three partsthree parts. But Hardy makes the novel into seven . But Hardy makes the novel into seven phases. phases. The first partThe first part is a prelude, which contains two is a prelude, which contains two phases, "The Maiden" and "Maiden No More. ' This phases, "The Maiden" and "Maiden No More. ' This part tells how Tess leaves home and encounters Alex. part tells how Tess leaves home and encounters Alex. She Was seduced by Alee and comes back home She Was seduced by Alee and comes back home disgraced. This is the first cycle, beginning in May and disgraced. This is the first cycle, beginning in May and ending in August. ending in August. The second partThe second part includes three includes three phases, "The Rally", "The Consequence" and "The phases, "The Rally", "The Consequence" and "The Woman Pays"; which represents the second cycle. Woman Pays"; which represents the second cycle.

In this part, Tess has a new life: she meets with AnIn this part, Tess has a new life: she meets with Angel at Talbothays in the Valley of the Great Dairies, gel at Talbothays in the Valley of the Great Dairies, and they fall in love with each other. It begins in Mand they fall in love with each other. It begins in May, reaches its climax at the turning of the year and ay, reaches its climax at the turning of the year and ends in the following winter. The last two phases,ends in the following winter. The last two phases, "The Convert" and "Fulfillment", belong to "The Convert" and "Fulfillment", belong to the thithe third partrd part which represents her decline. Forced by po which represents her decline. Forced by poverty, Tess returns to Alec until Angel comes to claverty, Tess returns to Alec until Angel comes to claim her. In shame and anger, Tess kills Alee, and is fim her. In shame and anger, Tess kills Alee, and is finally arrested and executed. This part starts in wininally arrested and executed. This part starts in winter and ends in spring.ter and ends in spring.

The Analysis of the Selected ReadingThe Analysis of the Selected Reading

The questions:The questions: 1. how does Tess react to Clare’s suggestion that 1. how does Tess react to Clare’s suggestion that

they should leave their shelter? Why?they should leave their shelter? Why? 2. What is the significance of Tess resting on an altar 2. What is the significance of Tess resting on an altar

in the heathen temple?in the heathen temple? 3. Comment on the sentence: “Justice was done, …”3. Comment on the sentence: “Justice was done, …” 4. Try to think about Hardy’s writing artistic 4. Try to think about Hardy’s writing artistic

features?features?

Artistic features of his works.Artistic features of his works. 3.1 A good story teller3.1 A good story teller And yet, Hardy is not an analyst of human life or And yet, Hardy is not an analyst of human life or

nature, like George Eliot, but nature, like George Eliot, but a meditative story-ta meditative story-teller or romancereller or romancer. He . He tellstells very good very good stories aboustories aboutt very very interesting people but he seldom stops to asinteresting people but he seldom stops to ask whyk why. He seems as puzzled as readers about the . He seems as puzzled as readers about the fate of his characters. He depicts them as he sees fate of his characters. He depicts them as he sees them, but he does not understand them. them, but he does not understand them.

3.2 3.2 A great painter of natureA great painter of nature

He is a great painter of natureHe is a great painter of nature. In his hand, . In his hand, nature assumes the form of life and becomenature assumes the form of life and becomes a most powerful, forbidding force with its s a most powerful, forbidding force with its own life and will.own life and will.

3.3 His 3.3 His typical struggling characterstypical struggling characters

His heroes and heroines, those unfortunate young His heroes and heroines, those unfortunate young men and women in their desperate struggle for men and women in their desperate struggle for personal fulfillment and happiness, are, all personal fulfillment and happiness, are, all vividly and realistically depicted. They all seem vividly and realistically depicted. They all seem to possess a kind of exquisitely sensuous beauty. to possess a kind of exquisitely sensuous beauty. They are not only individual cases, but also of They are not only individual cases, but also of universal truth. Their plight is not just their own; universal truth. Their plight is not just their own; it applies to any one, any age.it applies to any one, any age.

3.4 The rustic3.4 The rustic 质朴的 质朴的 dialect and a dialect and a poetic flavour in his workspoetic flavour in his works

And finally, all the works of Hardy are noted fAnd finally, all the works of Hardy are noted for the rustic dialect and a poetic flavor which for the rustic dialect and a poetic flavor which fits well into a perfectly designed architectural its well into a perfectly designed architectural structure of the work. They are the product of structure of the work. They are the product of a conscientious artist. a conscientious artist.

Theme of the novel Theme of the novel The critical realism of the novel puts it amoThe critical realism of the novel puts it amo

ng the best works of the late Victorian periong the best works of the late Victorian period. The bold exposure of the hypocritical mod. The bold exposure of the hypocritical morality of the bourgeois society and the bitter rality of the bourgeois society and the bitter denunciation denunciation 谴责谴责 of the capitalist invasion of the capitalist invasion into the country and the destruction of the into the country and the destruction of the English peasantry towards the end of the niEnglish peasantry towards the end of the nineteenth century is first rate. neteenth century is first rate.

Tess, the heroine, is depicted as a victim of the Tess, the heroine, is depicted as a victim of the society. Being a beautiful, innocent, honest, society. Being a beautiful, innocent, honest, sweet-natured, and hard-working country girl, sweet-natured, and hard-working country girl, she is easily taken in and abused by the she is easily taken in and abused by the hypocritical bourgeoisie, constantly suppressed hypocritical bourgeoisie, constantly suppressed by the social conventions and moral values of the by the social conventions and moral values of the day, and eventually executed by the unfair legal day, and eventually executed by the unfair legal system of the society. system of the society.

Her absolute obedience to Angel as her husband Her absolute obedience to Angel as her husband and her willing suffering and sacrifice to him is and her willing suffering and sacrifice to him is not only her weakness in character but also an not only her weakness in character but also an inevitability in a girl of her upbringing. inevitability in a girl of her upbringing.

Most important of all, it is the poverty of the Most important of all, it is the poverty of the family that forces her to improper relations once family that forces her to improper relations once and again with Alex. Alex and Angel, one and again with Alex. Alex and Angel, one depriving her of her virginity and purity and the depriving her of her virginity and purity and the other forcing her back into an immoral other forcing her back into an immoral relationship and then, catching her at it and to relationship and then, catching her at it and to her desperation and self-destruction. her desperation and self-destruction.

On one hand, Tess's fate is personal, because On one hand, Tess's fate is personal, because she happens to be so beautiful, so pure, so she happens to be so beautiful, so pure, so innocent, so obedient, and so poor. On the innocent, so obedient, and so poor. On the other hand, her fate is a social one. It can be other hand, her fate is a social one. It can be the fate of any country girl like her. It can be the fate of any country girl like her. It can be the fate of all the peasants who are driven out the fate of all the peasants who are driven out of their land and home and forced to seek of their land and home and forced to seek somewhere else for sustenance.somewhere else for sustenance.

Relevant exerciseRelevant exercise

The main points of views on society, science, The main points of views on society, science, philosophy and man.philosophy and man.

The artistic features of his works.The artistic features of his works. The three points of view in the analysis of The three points of view in the analysis of

themes of Tess of the D’urbervilles.themes of Tess of the D’urbervilles.

《苔丝》读后感《苔丝》读后感 在此书的扉页上，作者写下了这样一行字：苔丝，一在此书的扉页上，作者写下了这样一行字：苔丝，一

个纯洁的女人。无疑，这是托马斯个纯洁的女人。无疑，这是托马斯 .. 哈代对他的女主哈代对他的女主人公的评价，公正令人信服。人公的评价，公正令人信服。

他用如此一个简洁的形容词概括了这个少女的一切。他用如此一个简洁的形容词概括了这个少女的一切。然而她那纯真的心灵并没有给她带来灿烂的生活。父然而她那纯真的心灵并没有给她带来灿烂的生活。父亲德伯的愚昧无知，对于金钱的贪婪推使苔丝跌下了亲德伯的愚昧无知，对于金钱的贪婪推使苔丝跌下了社会的的深渊；而亚雷克的邪恶无耻则将苔丝少女的社会的的深渊；而亚雷克的邪恶无耻则将苔丝少女的所有美好梦想化为灰烬，促使她遇上了改变她人生的所有美好梦想化为灰烬，促使她遇上了改变她人生的第三件事——与第三件事——与 Angle ClareAngle Clare 相爱。而正是这个相爱。而正是这个 Angel Angel Clare Clare ，这个有着天使之名的懦弱男人——最终造成，这个有着天使之名的懦弱男人——最终造成了了 Tess Tess 的悲剧。我认为，的悲剧。我认为， Angel ClareAngel Clare 才是全书最应才是全书最应该批判的人物。该批判的人物。

爱情的力量并不总是伟大的，新婚之夜，爱情的力量并不总是伟大的，新婚之夜， TessTess的坦诚并没有换来的坦诚并没有换来 AngleAngle 的原谅，反而将他狭促、的原谅，反而将他狭促、虚荣和软弱的本性暴露了出来。虚荣和软弱的本性暴露了出来。 Angel ClareAngel Clare 试试图摆脱家庭的影响，自立其生。图摆脱家庭的影响，自立其生。

在第二十四章的结尾：在第二十四章的结尾： A veil had been whisked asA veil had been whisked aside; the tract of each one's outlook was to have a neide; the tract of each one's outlook was to have a new horizon thenceforward - for a short time or for a lw horizon thenceforward - for a short time or for a long. Short or long. ong. Short or long. 哈代已经在向我们掀开覆盖在哈代已经在向我们掀开覆盖在TessTess 命运上的薄纱了，在隐约中命运上的薄纱了，在隐约中 TessTess 失去了一失去了一切。“切。“ Angel is not a angel because of Clare.” Angel is not a angel because of Clare.” 甚甚至我们在一定程度上可以认为与至我们在一定程度上可以认为与 TessTess 相爱是为相爱是为了满足他的虚荣心，显示他的与众不同。了满足他的虚荣心，显示他的与众不同。

关于这一点的证据，或许能在第三十四章中找关于这一点的证据，或许能在第三十四章中找到答案：到答案： AngelAngel 让让 TessTess 戴上他的教母留给他戴上他的教母留给他的首饰。悲剧不会在此刻罢手。是的，的首饰。悲剧不会在此刻罢手。是的， Angel Angel ClareClare 是一个自命不凡的少爷，不管他如何掩是一个自命不凡的少爷，不管他如何掩饰，在破灭之后，全然忘了他曾经如何对饰，在破灭之后，全然忘了他曾经如何对 TessTess忏悔，抛光了自己的荒唐。反而以一个卫道者忏悔，抛光了自己的荒唐。反而以一个卫道者的模样指责未婚妻的不贞，而掩去了自己的肮的模样指责未婚妻的不贞，而掩去了自己的肮脏，情愿脏，情愿 TessTess 没有告诉过他真相。“没有告诉过他真相。“ In consiIn considering what Tess was not, he overlooked what shdering what Tess was not, he overlooked what she was, and forgot that the defective can be more te was, and forgot that the defective can be more than the entire.”han the entire.”

而苔丝是如此的淳朴，善良；在反复拒绝了而苔丝是如此的淳朴，善良；在反复拒绝了 AngelAngel 的求婚的求婚后，听到他说可以原谅苔丝的一切过错时，才勉强同意与后，听到他说可以原谅苔丝的一切过错时，才勉强同意与他订婚的。一个再坚强的人也是拒绝不了爱情的诱惑的，他订婚的。一个再坚强的人也是拒绝不了爱情的诱惑的，更何况更何况 TessTess 曾经遭受过侮辱。伟大的力量没能引导她找曾经遭受过侮辱。伟大的力量没能引导她找到新生活的开始，相反与她生命最接近的爱人把她推上了到新生活的开始，相反与她生命最接近的爱人把她推上了绝路。当她鼓起勇气说出自己的不幸之后，命运让她听到绝路。当她鼓起勇气说出自己的不幸之后，命运让她听到这样的话：“我原来认为——任何男人也会这么想的——这样的话：“我原来认为——任何男人也会这么想的——我既然放弃了娶一个有地位、有财富、有教养的妻子的全我既然放弃了娶一个有地位、有财富、有教养的妻子的全部打算，我所得到的当然应该是娇艳的面颊和朴素的纯部打算，我所得到的当然应该是娇艳的面颊和朴素的纯洁。”话语对洁。”话语对 TessTess 的打击是毁灭性的，的打击是毁灭性的， TessTess 母亲之前在母亲之前在写给女儿信中的话似乎不幸印证了：写给女儿信中的话似乎不幸印证了： I did not tell everythiI did not tell everything to your Father, he being so Proud on account of his Respecng to your Father, he being so Proud on account of his Respectability, which, perhaps, your Intended is the same. tability, which, perhaps, your Intended is the same. 新婚之夜，新婚之夜，也是苔丝人生悲剧的顶点。她在伤心之中彻底否定了自己也是苔丝人生悲剧的顶点。她在伤心之中彻底否定了自己在在 AngelAngel 心中的形象。她的良心不能允许向爱人隐瞒自己心中的形象。她的良心不能允许向爱人隐瞒自己的屈辱。事实上谁又能以此指责苔丝的纯洁善良呢？的屈辱。事实上谁又能以此指责苔丝的纯洁善良呢？

AngelAngel 的再次归来，给苔丝带来了极其短暂的幸福，或的再次归来，给苔丝带来了极其短暂的幸福，或许这对于苔丝来说，已经足够。但作为读者，我想没有许这对于苔丝来说，已经足够。但作为读者，我想没有一个人会认为这是公平的。当我们又看到一个人会认为这是公平的。当我们又看到 Angel ClareAngel Clare带着带着 Liza LuLiza Lu走出走出 the city of Wintoncesterthe city of Wintoncester 时，虽然知道时，虽然知道哈代是为了向读者传递新的希望。我却无法接受这个结哈代是为了向读者传递新的希望。我却无法接受这个结局，无法接受作者为局，无法接受作者为 Angel ClareAngel Clare做的转向描写。做的转向描写。

我一向认为苔丝最终的悲剧都是由于我一向认为苔丝最终的悲剧都是由于 Angel ClareAngel Clare 造成造成的，托马斯的，托马斯 .. 哈代却还在他告慰他的读者：希望依然存哈代却还在他告慰他的读者：希望依然存在，生活依然朝气。结尾中给我印象最深的是如下这两在，生活依然朝气。结尾中给我印象最深的是如下这两段：“段：“ It is as it should be,” she murmured. “Angel, I am alIt is as it should be,” she murmured. “Angel, I am almost glad - yes, glad! This happiness could not have lasted. most glad - yes, glad! This happiness could not have lasted. It was too much. I have had enough; and now I shall not live It was too much. I have had enough; and now I shall not live for you to despise me!” She stood up, shook herself, and wefor you to despise me!” She stood up, shook herself, and went forward, neither of the men having moved. nt forward, neither of the men having moved. “I am ready,” she said quietly. “I am ready,” she said quietly.

在电影中，对在电影中，对 undertakerundertaker 的问话，她也是如此简的问话，她也是如此简洁的回答让人不得不承认她的坚强和坦荡。这就洁的回答让人不得不承认她的坚强和坦荡。这就是一个纯洁的女人对人生的回答，没有怨言，只是一个纯洁的女人对人生的回答，没有怨言，只是准备好了。是准备好了。

她准备好了，迎接的却是不幸，也许，苔丝不该她准备好了，迎接的却是不幸，也许，苔丝不该过于善良，许是她的淳朴才导致了灾祸上门入室。过于善良，许是她的淳朴才导致了灾祸上门入室。如果现实就真得是这样，我们还能说什么呢？还如果现实就真得是这样，我们还能说什么呢？还是用尼采的话来注释吧：“悲剧呀！悲剧！”是用尼采的话来注释吧：“悲剧呀！悲剧！”