Introduction:
First I say thank you that you took the pains this morning to come despite these rather unfortunate weather conditions for a seminar. I know it's too hot but don't worry we'll be trying to increase the heat with our discussion which is mainly concerned with sex.
Today we're going to deal with the male characters in 'Tess'. Right at the beginning I'd like to confront you with one or two questions, hoping that those who have read the novel can give me some interesting answers. Finally then I'd like to present you my interpretation of the circumstances, with some additional questions. Maybe after the presentation you'll come up with some questions yourself which I hope I can answer and discuss.
Table of Contents
1. Alec d'Urberville : Angel Clare :
1.1 The Rake
1.2 The Convert
1.3 A Rake Again
1.4 The Divine
1.5 The Devil at the Confession
1.6 The Christian
2. Tess's Role in Relationship with these Men:
3. THE PLACE OF SEX IN HARDY'S ETHICS AND HARDY'S VIEW OF GUILT IN SEX :
4. Introduction:
5. Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
5.1 Characteranalysis of the Main Male Characters
5.2 Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare
6. Seninarquestions :
7. TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES BY THOMAS HARDY
7.1 CHARACTERANALYSIS OF THE MAIN MALE CHARACTERS
7.2 ALEC D'URBERVILLE AND ANGEL CLARE
7.2.1 Alec d'Urberville and Women
7.2.2 Tess the Temptress?
7.2.3 The Convert
7.2.4 Angel Clare and Women
7.2.5 The Garden Scene
7.2.6 The Confession
8. THE PLACE OF SEX IN HARDY'S ETHICS
9. HARDY'S VIEW OF GUILT IN SEX
10. Questionnotes:
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper aims to provide a character analysis of the two primary male figures, Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare, in Thomas Hardy's novel 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles', focusing on their complex relationships with the protagonist, Tess. The work explores how both men project their own subjective ideologies onto Tess, effectively denying her individual agency and identity through their moral and spiritual frameworks.
- Psychological and character analysis of Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare.
- Examination of Tess's role and her perceived "temptress" nature.
- Analysis of Hardy’s ethics regarding sexual desire and morality.
- Interpretation of the influence of family, religion, and internal values on the male characters.
- Critique of gender dynamics and the objectification of women in the Victorian context.
Excerpt from the Book
Angel Clare and Women
As the other male protagonist in Hardy's 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' we have Angel Clare. Hardy says: 'Angel Clare rises out of the past not altogether a distinct figure, but as an appreciative voice, a long regard of fixed, abstracted eyes, and a mobility of mouth somewhat too small and delicately lined for a man's, though with an unexpectedly firm close of the lower lip now and then; enough to do away with any inference of decision. Nevertheless, something neboulous, preoccupied, vague, in his bearing and regard, marked him as one who probably had no very definite aim or concern about his material future.'
Angel's appearance is the very contrast to Alec's. The description presents us a rather feminine beauty. Especially the word 'delicate' is very striking in this context.
Let's have a look if Angel is really the angelic figure as his name suggests. Again this becomes most clear when we consider what Tess represents for him and the picture he has of women in general:
Angel Clare distinguishes himself not only from the outward appearance from Alec d'Urberville. He has indeed the very opposite character qualities to those of the latter. To Clare the female in himself is the only part of himself he will acknowledge, meaning the body, the senses which he shares with the female, which the female shares with him. What he really wants to receive is (like Alec) the female impulse but other than through the body. For him the female in himself is detestable because what he shares with a woman is held degraded. But denying his body any further has led him to a deadlock in his own being. He is unwillingly drawn to woman provided that he must see her only as the Female Principle, for he can't bear to see her as the woman in the body, which Alec reaches out for. Marriage means to him that he must, in his own mind put off his divinity, his pure maleness, his completeness in order to descend to the, for him, degraded physical relationship.
Summary of Chapters
Alec d'Urberville : Angel Clare : This chapter outlines the character archetypes, contrasting Alec as the "Rake" and Angel as the "Divine," setting the stage for the comparative analysis of their moral failings.
Tess's Role in Relationship with these Men: This section investigates Tess's position as a physical being trapped in a world that interprets her inherent vitality through the lens of male erotic responses.
THE PLACE OF SEX IN HARDY'S ETHICS AND HARDY'S VIEW OF GUILT IN SEX : These chapters summarize Hardy’s philosophical stance on sexual desire as a natural force, distinguishing between biological reality and the artificial guilt imposed by societal norms.
ALEC D'URBERVILLE AND ANGEL CLARE: The core analysis section dissects the specific psychological behaviors and misconceptions both men hold toward Tess, highlighting their inability to accept her as an independent entity.
Keywords
Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Alec d'Urberville, Angel Clare, Character Analysis, Victorian Fiction, Sexual Ethics, Gender Dynamics, Female Agency, Moral Guilt, Psychoanalysis, Literary Criticism, Temptress, Spirituality, Egotism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on analyzing the male protagonists, Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare, in Thomas Hardy's 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles', evaluating how their internal values and patriarchal views shape their destructive treatment of Tess.
What are the central themes explored?
Central themes include the projection of male fantasies onto women, the distinction between "innate goodness" and "fallenness," the critique of traditional Christian morality, and the nature of sexual desire.
What is the central research question?
The study explores how the two main male characters fail to perceive Tess as an individual, instead treating her as a projection of their own psychological needs, and whether she can be considered a "passive temptress" within these constraints.
Which scientific or analytical method is used?
The author employs literary criticism, character analysis, and incorporates psychological perspectives—including Freudian interpretations—to analyze character motivation and symbolic action within the text.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body contrasts the "swarthy," physical nature of Alec with the "delicate," spiritualized view of Angel, analyzing scenes like the Garden Scene and Tess's confession to illustrate how both men ultimately fail her.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include gender dynamics, characterization, Thomas Hardy, Victorian literature, moral responsibility, and sexual ideology.
How does Angel Clare's view of Tess change throughout the novel?
Initially, Angel creates an idealized, spiritualized image of Tess as a goddess; after her confession, he rejects her as "degraded," eventually achieving "psychic growth" in Brazil where he learns to judge her by her internal character rather than external acts.
What role does the 'Garden Scene' play in the author's analysis?
The author uses the Garden Scene as a critical symbolic moment that evokes the biblical paradise, highlighting the erotic tension and the foreshadowing of Tess's subsequent tragic experiences.
- Quote paper
- Didem Oktay (Author), 1994, Tess of the D Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/4329
