Tess of the D'Urbervilles as a Tragedy

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Introductory

Tess of the D'Urberville is Thomas Hardy's exotic (ajeeb, anokhi) creation in the realm of tragedy. First published in 1890 (some say in 1891), Hardy was met with severe criticism on account of showcasing sexuality and pessimism openly. But it is just a surface assumption. This novel is genred as a tragedy because there are many stouter shreds of evidence, supporting the arguments in favour of Tess. [Let us discuss them in length, shall we?]

Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a different kind of tragedy

Hardy does not want to repeat the same Aristotle's concept of tragedy in which this sad and horrible event takes place owing to the tragic flaw or hamartia of the hero, leading the audience give way to their emotions of pity and fear [quite a common Aristotelian stuff in the ancient Greek fashion]. But here in this novel, Tess does not seem to have a tragic flaw in her own personality [or does she?]. She is not sketched by Hardy, an ambitious lady but it is her family (especially her father) who set her path to tragedy in motion. Tess is not like Oedipus whose quest leads him to his tragic blindness. But she is fated for her tragedy by the immortal scheme of the "Governance of the Universe".

Tess' Ambitious Family

Tess is not a royal queen to kick things off like in ancient tragedies. She has come off a poor agricultural family in the Victorian Era when agricultural activities were gradually moving from manual work to mechanical work. Tess' family [in early chapters] can hardly make both ends meet and suddenly, her father is told by a local parson that Mr. Jack Durbeyfield has got a fancy lineage from ancient knighthood [which is totally illogical] D'Urberville. He, then decides to acquire a loan from one of his older students and sends the "physically tempting" Tess to get the money borrowed. Mr. Alec also turns out to be a D'Urberville and he does many disgusting things to Tess which pretty much destroy her "virginity" [as the Victorians say]. In plain words, she is not marriable to anyone anymore. So, Alec D'Urberville plays the role of a tragic villain who deprives Tess of her chastity.

The Guardian Angel

Tess' Talbothays (name of a dairy farm) activities are going well which provide plenty of room for her to forget and start a new life but the ghosts of history do continue to chase her. Angel Clare, a gentleman's son, who is learning to farm, falls a victim to Tess' eyes and begins entitling her "Artemis" (the hunter goddess). They fall in love with each other and Tess considers him a Guardian Angel. But this "Angel" also becomes responsible for her tragedy. He is a representative of the dual standards of men and women in the Victorian Period. He unfolds his history of forty-eight hours, indulging himself in 'pleasure-seeking' in the city London. Tess forgives him but in return what Tess gets is this, "O Tess, forgiveness does not apply to thy case!". Consequently, he leaves her in the hot waters and sets off for Brazil.

The Governance of the Universe

Tess is extremely a sensitive woman. She considers herself the sole responsible for the death of the horse, named as Prince. Here fate and supernatural powers appear in the form of a storm and make her stay in the actual D'Urbervilles. Another incident, worth noting in the shape of co-incidence (another configuration of fate), when she slips her confession under the door to Angel but it is eaten by the carpet. In short, fate ruins her chaste soul and she tries to regain it by killing the culprit. Which pretty much serves as the finale for her tragedy. "Justice is done! "

Conclusion

Manifestly speaking, Tess' tragedy is propelled by fate and then by the humans closely associated with her. She tries her best to repel it but the Divine Power(s) make sport of her sufferings till her tragic end.

References and Citation