Literature has often been described as the representation of human life and his social, cultural, religious and ethical backgrounds. One can consider Macbeth, as a Shakespearean play and Tess of the D’Urbervilles, as a Hadrian novel. Literary works of most of the writers demonstrate various identity based concepts such as gender, race, religion, culture, and regional aspects.
Hardy’s novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles reflects the emotional, social, psychological journey of a maiden named Tess and one can see that this character has represented the social traits of England in different levels of individual, familial and cultural dimensions. Hardy’s novel always portrays the fictional lands Wessex and its social and cultural life. Hardy manages to evoke nostalgia among the readers, mind by heart touching qualities. Rural atmosphere of the work plays a significant role, so the journey in this story develops the novel to several nervous scenes. The author first presents Tess as a spirit of the countryside, living in a state of simple mindedness. Incidence ahead of Tess endows with the feeling of grief but her revitalization changes her manner.
Here, Hardy provides psychological treatment towards the development of the personality of Tess and other characters. The author gives her hereditary status of a Norman aristocrat family in lineage but she lives without proper conditions. Here Tess of D’Urbervilles is a character with different situations and sometimes she tells her weakness. Hardy creates Tess as a character for dissimilar situations by exacting behavior. The character John of D’Urbervilles is irresponsible; he makes the conditions unsafe for Tess. Readers can see the clash between hereditary status and reality on the deeds of John. Her relation with Angel explores the conflict between two different cultures. The upper class society never ready to admit Tess’s confession and Tess reached the world of isolation. The online article entitled Feminism and Gender Studies in the Work of Thomas Hardy comments that “This new, postmodern and incisive exploration of Hardy offers an exciting and radical reappraisal of the discourses of gender, desire, class, economy, socialization, identity and patriarchy in his fiction and poetry” (Elvy, 1904, para.1).
His ancestors were nobles, this truth is connected by way of the history of England, and the coming of Normans was a historical fact. Altogether, his wife is a hard working person and she is the character made by the author to inspire Tess. Angel and his family background comprise the good quality characters but at the same time, Angel is a symbol of Victorian mannerism. Externally he projects a fine personality, but on the other hand, internally another character can be been within him. He also causes dilemma for his wife, Tess. Angel’s words lead the reader to think about the social and cultural deference between high class and middle class people in England. “It was imperative that we should stay together a little while, to avoid the scandal to you that would have resulted from our immediate parting” (Hardy, 2007, p.309).
As a member of ancient family, which has Victorian roots I have encountered number of, experiences that reveal identity issues in both my work field and social life. Conservative people in the society are never ready to admit my achievements in work fields and often I felt isolation. I have faced severe opposition in the time of the promotion process in my work field. I feel the reality that the high classes people in the society have always try to avoid the middle class people. Some of my superior officers have considered identity issues such as race, color, and social backgrounds.
In the case of my social life, there have been a number of events that forced me to think about identity issues including race, language, religion and culture. As a believer of Roman Catholic religion, I have followed my own principles. I cannot overcome the influences of traditional beliefs and manners of the ancient culture. Many times, I felt different experience in mingling with my mates who believe in other religion. I think this is not a serious crime or evil thing but only the influence of social and cultural backgrounds of a person.
Reference List
Elvy, M. (1904). Sexing Hardy: Feminism and Gender Studies in the Work of Thomas Hardy. Crescent Moon Publishing. Web.
Hardy, T. (2007). Tess of the D’urbervilles. Reprint Services Corporation, p.309. Web.