9.1 Hardy's naturalism and fatalism

Thomas Hardy's novels explore the harsh realities of Victorian life through a naturalistic lens. His characters grapple with forces beyond their control, from societal constraints to the indifference of nature, often leading to tragic outcomes.

Hardy's work critiques Victorian society, highlighting class divisions and moral hypocrisy. Set in the fictional Wessex, his stories paint a vivid picture of rural life while examining the struggles of individuals against their predetermined fates.

Philosophical Themes

Naturalistic and Deterministic Worldview

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• Naturalism portrays characters as subject to natural forces beyond their control (heredity, environment, chance)
• Fatalism suggests that events are predetermined and inevitable, often leading to a sense of hopelessness or resignation
• Determinism holds that all events, including human actions and choices, are ultimately determined by external causes (social conditions, biology, or environment)
• Hardy's works are influenced by Charles Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection, emphasizing the struggle for survival and the indifference of nature to human suffering
• Pessimism pervades Hardy's novels, reflecting a bleak view of the human condition and the futility of human endeavors in the face of an uncaring universe (Tess's tragic fate in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles")

Critique of Victorian Society and Morality

• Hardy's novels often serve as a critique of Victorian society's rigid social conventions, particularly regarding class, gender roles, and sexual morality
• Characters who transgress social norms or challenge the status quo are often punished by society or fate, highlighting the oppressive nature of Victorian morality (Jude's aspirations and relationship with Sue in "Jude the Obscure")
• The tragic outcomes of characters' lives demonstrate the consequences of societal constraints and the inability to escape one's predetermined social position (Tess's fall from grace and ostracism in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles")

Setting and Social Commentary

Wessex Novels and Rural Settings

• Many of Hardy's novels are set in the fictional region of Wessex, based on the rural southwest of England (Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset)
• The rural settings serve as a backdrop for exploring the lives of common people and the challenges they face, often in contrast to the more privileged urban society
• Hardy's vivid descriptions of the natural world and the changing seasons reflect the cyclical nature of life and the passage of time (the pastoral landscapes in "Far from the Madding Crowd")

Social Critique and Class Divisions

• Hardy's novels often highlight the social and economic inequalities of Victorian society, particularly the divide between the rural poor and the urban elite
• Characters from lower social classes are portrayed as struggling against poverty, limited opportunities, and the prejudices of those in power (Tess's family's financial struggles in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles")
• The rigid class system and the limitations it imposes on individuals' aspirations and happiness are recurring themes in Hardy's works (Jude's thwarted ambitions in "Jude the Obscure")

Character and Plot

Tragic Characters and Inevitable Fate

• Hardy's protagonists are often tragic figures whose lives are marked by suffering, disappointment, and the inability to escape their predetermined fates (Tess, Jude, Henchard)
• Characters are portrayed as struggling against the forces of nature, society, and their own weaknesses, ultimately succumbing to the inevitable tragedy of their lives (Henchard's downfall in "The Mayor of Casterbridge")
• The concept of fatalism is evident in the way characters' destinies seem to be predetermined, with their efforts to change the course of their lives proving futile (Tess's attempts to escape her past in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles")

Determinism and the Struggle Against Fate

• Characters' actions and choices are often influenced by external factors beyond their control, such as heredity, environment, and social conditions (Jude's struggle against his working-class background in "Jude the Obscure")
• The deterministic worldview suggests that individuals have little agency in shaping their own lives, as their fates are largely predetermined by forces outside their control
• Despite their efforts to challenge their predetermined roles or destinies, characters often find themselves unable to escape the tragic consequences of their actions or the constraints of their social position (Tess's ultimate fate despite her attempts to redeem herself in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles")