The aim of this paper is to analyse the character of Jocelyn Pierston as a tragic hero. The paper focuses on two novels - "The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved" and "The Well- Beloved" - and is divided into two main chapters, while the latter novel is preferred. The first half of the work is dedicated to the Aristotelian concept of the tragic hero, its usage and the conditions for a protagonist to be labeled as such. In addition, some of Thomas Hardy’s opinions on humanity, fate and nature will be shown and discussed with several sources, as well as his attitude towards tragic heroes. In the second half the main protagonist is thoroughly examined in both novels in order to find his tragic flaw and understand his character.By the analysis of various tragic effects depicted in the source texts the thesis tries to argue whether Pierston fulfills those conditions and is a tragic hero or whether he simply lacks the needed qualities.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 The Concept of the Tragic Hero
2.1 Thomas Hardy’s tragic heroes
2.1.1 Heroes’ tragic flaw
2.1.2 The realisation of the hero’s downfall
3 The Well-Beloved
3.1 Jocelyn Pierston
3.1.1 Pierston’s character and social standing
3.1.2 Pierston’s tragic flaw
3.1.3 The extent of Pierston’s downfall
3.1.4 External forces affecting Pierston
3.4 Pierston in The Pursuit Of The Well-Beloved
4 Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This thesis examines the character of Jocelyn Pierston within Thomas Hardy’s novels The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved and The Well-Beloved to determine if he fulfills the Aristotelian criteria for a tragic hero. By analyzing Pierston’s pursuit of an ideal woman and his interactions with fate and nature, the work investigates whether his flaws and eventual downfall align with traditional tragic structures or represent a unique form of tragedy characterized by the "crushed spirit" rather than mere death.
- Analysis of the Aristotelian concept of the tragic hero and its applicability to Hardy’s protagonists.
- Examination of Thomas Hardy’s philosophical views on humanity, fate, and nature.
- In-depth character study of Jocelyn Pierston and his repetitive search for the "ideal woman."
- Comparative analysis of narrative and character shifts between the two versions of the novel.
- Evaluation of Pierston’s tragic flaw (hamartia) and the role of external forces in his life.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2 Pierston’s tragic flaw
There is a discussion as to what exactly is Pierston’s tragic flaw and what is his well-beloved. In the previous chapter it was stated that every character in Hardy’s great novels made a mistake at some point of the novel and Pierston is not an exception. On the one hand it could be said that women are his passion and the cause of his downfall, but on the other hand it could be his stubbornness and pride that caused so. His pursuit of the ideal is most likely the key factor that keeps him from reaching happiness.
The reader is not given a clear definition of the way the well-beloved should look, for Pierston himself does not know it. However, there is a description of his ideal, but very nebulous:
Essentially she was perhaps of no tangible substance; a spirit, a dream, a frenzy, a conception, an aroma, an epitomized sex, a light of the eye, a parting of the lips. God only knew what she really was; Pierston did not. She was indescribable. (184)
Moreover, he refers to his pursuit of the ideal woman as "a curious curse, or influence" (199). He admits that "[e]ach shape, or embodiment, has been a temporary residence only" (200). He has created his own reasoning about it as "[h]e did not recognize [the pursuit after the ideal] as an excuse or as a defence, but as a fact simply" (184). He moulded his views about women and his quest from the young age: "[b]y making this clear to his mind some time before to-day, he had escaped a good deal of ugly self-reproach" (185).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of Thomas Hardy’s literary background, his connection to the Naturalist movement, and the research objectives regarding the tragic status of Jocelyn Pierston.
2 The Concept of the Tragic Hero: Defines the Aristotelian requirements for a tragic hero, including moral status, tragic flaw, and the necessity of catharsis through pity and fear.
2.1 Thomas Hardy’s tragic heroes: Explores critical debates on Hardy’s ability to write tragedy and compares his protagonists to traditional Greek or Shakespearean models.
2.1.1 Heroes’ tragic flaw: Analyzes how various internal forces and mistakes function as tragic flaws within Hardy’s major novels.
2.1.2 The realisation of the hero’s downfall: Examines the self-realization process that Hardy’s characters undergo as they face their inevitable doom.
3 The Well-Beloved: Introduces the novel, its thematic focus on erotic fascination and art, and the specific narrative structure of the protagonist’s quest.
3.1 Jocelyn Pierston: Evaluates Pierston’s personality, consistency, and depth as a protagonist within the framework of tragedy.
3.1.1 Pierston’s character and social standing: Discusses Pierston’s wealth, education, and social status, highlighting how he differs from other "rustic" Hardy heroes.
3.1.2 Pierston’s tragic flaw: Investigates Pierston’s obsession with the "ideal woman" as his defining hamartia and source of turmoil.
3.1.3 The extent of Pierston’s downfall: Analyzes the final stage of the novel, focusing on Pierston’s loss of artistic purpose and his resolution of the "curse."
3.1.4 External forces affecting Pierston: Details how coincidence, nature, and fate dictate the sequence of fateful events in the protagonist's life.
3.4 Pierston in The Pursuit Of The Well-Beloved: Compares the serial version of the novel with the final text, noting significant changes in characterization and narrative outcomes.
4 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that while Pierston possesses tragic elements, the unconventional ending makes it difficult to classify the work as a traditional tragedy.
Keywords
Thomas Hardy, Jocelyn Pierston, Tragic Hero, Aristotelian Poetics, The Well-Beloved, The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved, Hamartia, Tragic Flaw, Fate, Nature, Naturalism, Literary Criticism, Ideal Woman, Downfall, Catharsis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper performs a comparative analysis of the protagonist Jocelyn Pierston in Thomas Hardy's two novels, The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved and The Well-Beloved, evaluating his character against Aristotelian standards of a tragic hero.
What are the central thematic fields explored in the work?
The central themes include the definitions of tragedy, the role of fate and nature in Hardy’s fiction, the influence of the "ideal woman" on the protagonist, and the evolution of a character across different manuscript versions.
What is the primary research question?
The research seeks to determine whether Jocelyn Pierston qualifies as a traditional tragic hero, or if his character and the novel’s resolution fall outside the bounds of conventional tragedy.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author employs a comparative literary analysis, combining Aristotelian theory on tragedy with an examination of secondary literary criticism and textual analysis of the source novels.
What is covered in the main body of the thesis?
The main body investigates the theoretical definition of the tragic hero, Hardy's specific approach to tragedy, a detailed character analysis of Pierston (including his social status, flaws, and downfall), and a comparison between the serial and book versions of the story.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Thomas Hardy, Tragic Hero, Hamartia, Ideal Woman, Naturalism, and Literary Comparison.
How does the protagonist’s view of women function as his tragic flaw?
Pierston’s flaw lies in his inability to form stable relationships, as he constantly replaces real women with an unattainable "ideal," leading to his perpetual dissatisfaction and failure to engage with reality.
What distinction does the author make between the two versions of the novel?
The author notes that The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved features a more ruthless, selfish version of the protagonist, while the final version, The Well-Beloved, presents a character who, despite his flaws, is less actively malicious.
Why does the author struggle to classify the end of the novel as strictly tragic?
The author notes that because Pierston survives, finds a form of domestic peace, and loses his "curse" (his artistic obsession), the ending lacks the definitive finality and pity associated with classical tragedy.
- Quote paper
- Martin Mares (Author), 2013, The Aristotelian Tragic Hero in Thomas Hardy´s Novels. A Comparative Study, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/505638
