Tess of the D'Urbervilles Symbolism
‘Symbolism will quickly and effectively reveal the writer’s true intentions.’
To what extent do you agree with this view?
All language can be viewed as constructing symbols, through which a reader can identify modern ideas and concerns. Techniques used to create any aspect of a text can be seen as a symbol in some form – whether it was the writer’s intention or not. It is difficult to determine what an author’s ‘true’ intentions may have been; through applying a contemporary, academic reading of a text, one can identify repeating symbols which focus on one theme or idea that the writer has – deliberately or otherwise – addressed. Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles can be read as having a feminist stance in a patriarchal society, as shown through symbolism of the novel’s protagonist, Tess Durbeyfield.
If attempts to be principled in a pragmatic world, they will inevitably suffer as a result. Upon being offered compensation after being raped by Alec, Tess stays true to her ideals, refusing his offering. Showing a level of independence that is rarely seen, Tess exclaims “I have said I will not take anything more from you, and I will not – I cannot! I would be your creature to go on doing that, and I won’t.” There is a powerful use of metaphor here: by referring to Tess as a creature, the text suggests that were Tess to accept compensation, she would be nothing more than Alec’s domesticated pet – nothing more than one of his possessions. Through refusing this offer of payment Tess stays true to her feminist stance and boldly maintains her idealistic ways, going against the patriarchal system in place. In Tess’ world, the support of the father is crucial in the upbringing of a child: in order for the child to be considered legitimate – and therefore able to actively participate in society – the father must be present and acknowledged. As forcefully as she can, she attempts to deny Alec’s efforts to own her: she adheres to her feminist ideals, even when it
To what extent do you agree with this view?
All language can be viewed as constructing symbols, through which a reader can identify modern ideas and concerns. Techniques used to create any aspect of a text can be seen as a symbol in some form – whether it was the writer’s intention or not. It is difficult to determine what an author’s ‘true’ intentions may have been; through applying a contemporary, academic reading of a text, one can identify repeating symbols which focus on one theme or idea that the writer has – deliberately or otherwise – addressed. Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles can be read as having a feminist stance in a patriarchal society, as shown through symbolism of the novel’s protagonist, Tess Durbeyfield.
If attempts to be principled in a pragmatic world, they will inevitably suffer as a result. Upon being offered compensation after being raped by Alec, Tess stays true to her ideals, refusing his offering. Showing a level of independence that is rarely seen, Tess exclaims “I have said I will not take anything more from you, and I will not – I cannot! I would be your creature to go on doing that, and I won’t.” There is a powerful use of metaphor here: by referring to Tess as a creature, the text suggests that were Tess to accept compensation, she would be nothing more than Alec’s domesticated pet – nothing more than one of his possessions. Through refusing this offer of payment Tess stays true to her feminist stance and boldly maintains her idealistic ways, going against the patriarchal system in place. In Tess’ world, the support of the father is crucial in the upbringing of a child: in order for the child to be considered legitimate – and therefore able to actively participate in society – the father must be present and acknowledged. As forcefully as she can, she attempts to deny Alec’s efforts to own her: she adheres to her feminist ideals, even when it