by Lindsey Mcnulty

Created on: October 12, 2009   Last Updated: October 13, 2009

Analysis essay

The Victorian Era was an extremely contradictory time period as it promised modernization and a better future, yet millions worked in unsafe working conditions and lived in the slums. Women were expected to remain pure and fill their days with housework while men didn't have to live up to strict moral statuses and acted more adventurously. Known for its hypocrisy, sexual repression, supposed strong morals, and strict social code, the Victorian era acted as the contradictory time period for Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Throughout the novel Tess must reconcile between her adverse past with Alec d'Urberville and desired future with her one true love, Angel Clareall while battling the conventions of her Victorian Society. Chapter 33 is a significant chapter because it gives insight into Tess' character and unfortunate circumstances while foreshadowing future events. As the young heroine finally commits to marriage, Tess struggles with conflicted feelings of love versus inadequacy before the continuous downward spiral leading to her inevitable, yet tragic fate.

Hardy examines the hypocrisy of the Victorian Era in relation to Tess and Angel's relationship through two sequential incidents at the beginning of Chapter 33. After a day spent holiday shopping, Tess and Angel settle in the dairy for their sojourn before the wedding when a man from Tantridge offends Tess with a foul comment. However the insult is edited out as Hardy simply writes, And he negatived the remainder of the definition forthwith, after another man labeled her a comely maid. The shrinking of Tess and Angel's temarious violence toward the man suggest the comment was so offensive, that Hardy was forced to omit it. This proves the contradictory times in which this book was written and takes place. It was illegal for Hardy to write a single insult, yet repression of women thrived as they were forced into stereotypical house wife roles. Although Tess never experienced a stable, normal, marriage, she was very much expected to lead a pure life so that she could be worthy of a husband someday. If Tess' impure life was revealed, all of her community would look down upon her even though Alec was at fault because women were supposed to act more moral than men. Also, the man's comment suggests no matter how far away, Tess will never be able to fully escape, literally and mentally, from her incident with Alec. Oblivious of her unfortunate past, Angel is quick to defend his lady,

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