Symbolism in Tess of the D' Urbervilles

Symbolism in Tess of the D' Urbervilles

张齐文

华北水利水电大学外国语学院

Abstract Thomas Hardy is a writer who was keen to use the writing technique symbolism. In the novel, Tess of the D' Urbervilles, he employed symbolism to reflect the subtle changes of human psyche and social conditions.

Key Words symbolism, writing technique

Thomas Hardy gained fame as the author of novels such as Far From the Madding Crowd, The Mayor of Casterbridge, and Tess of the D' Urbervilles. Among these novels, the book Tess of the D' Urbervilles is now considered a major nineteenth-century English novel and possibly Hardy’s fictional masterpiece. As the main characteristic of the novel, symbolism is worth being focused on.

1. Symbolism in Color

1. 1. Red

In the novel, Thomas Hardy used the description of red color many times to symbolize the tragic fate of Tess.

The first appearance of Tess is unusual. As the description of the author, Tess “wore a red ribbon in her hair, and was the only one of the white companies who could boast of such a pronounced adornment.” ^[1] Although in Chinese culture, red has the meaning of good luck, red and vermilion represent redemption and sacrifice in Christianity. In this part, Tess dresses red while other ladies are in white. It seems that the dress predicts unfortunate destiny later.

Similarly, when Tess met Alec for the first time, she wished to abridge description of visit as much as possible. However, the young man was pressing and invited her to the fruit-garden and greenhouses asking her if she liked strawberries. Then, Tess was forced to eat whatever d’Urberville offered her in a half-pleased, half-reluctant state. “When she could consume no more of the strawberries he filled her little basket with them; and then the two passed round to the rose-trees, whence he gathered blossoms and gave her to put in her bosom.”^[2] Eating the red fruit means that she has stuck to bad luck.

To sum up, Hardy used red to indicate misfortune and disaster. It indicates that Tess's bumpy life journey was predictable, fated, not perted by human will, and inevitable.

1. 2. White

Generally, white represents purity and innocence in this book. Thomas Hardy described something white that symbolizes the quality of Tess. At first, Tess chose a white muslin dress. In the greenhouse, “the wind blew through Tess's white muslin to her very skin, and her washed hair flew out behind. She was determined to show no open fear, but she clutched d'Urberville's rein-arm.” ^[3] It represents that she had never realized the dangerous situation. When she needed to baptize her child, “she looked tall in her long white nightdress, her long dark hair hanging down her back to her waist. Her enthusiasm lit up her face, giving it a beautiful purity—the face which had caused her shame.” ^[4] Even after killing Alec, her pale face suggests purity and innocence deep in her heart.

In conclusion, as a symbol of love and beauty in Hardy's eyes, Tess was described as a pure female who lives in our hearts forever.

2. Symbolism in Natural Setting

To some extent, some changes in the natural settings relate closely to the mindset of the main character or development of the story. In the novel, Thomas Hardy used the writing technique to describe the whole changes of Tess’ life and also advanced the plot.

2.1 Surroundings

2.1.1 The Village of Marlott

In the beginning, Hardy emphasized “The village of Marlott lay amid the north-eastern undulations of the beautiful Vale of Blakemore, or Blackmoor, aforesaid, an engirdled and secluded region.” ^[5] From the picture, it is not hard to know that the village is a piece of pure land that has never been cultivated or polluted. Growing up in such a secluding and beautiful place, Tess is a chaste maiden.

2.1.2 Trantridge

When Tess got to Trantridge for the first time to ask for a job, the author described it as a crimson brick lodge covered by dense evergreens. The mansion was of recent erection and of the same rich red color that formed such a contrast with the evergreens of the lodge. “Tess thought this was the mansion itself till, passing through the side wicket with some trepidation, and onward to a point at which the drive took a turn, the house proper stood in full view.”

^[6] It is easy to imagine how afraid and timid a 17-year-old girl would be as she went to a totally unfamiliar place. What Hardy tried to imply is that people living in the house are quite different. They may be violent and full of desire.

2.1.3 The Valley of the Greatest Dairies

Being raped by Alec, Tess went back to her hometown and lived there for two years. During the period of living, her experience was discussed by her neighbors. Two years later, she heard from other people and worked in the Valley of the Greatest Dairies. The author compared it to Blackmoor Vale,“ It was intrinsically different from the Vale of Little Dairies, Blackmoor Vale, which, save during her disastrous sojourn at Trantridge, she had exclusively known till now. The world was drawn to a larger pattern here.” ^[7] It is clear that Tess would refresh herself and start a new life after going to another place. However, following the sentence, Hardy wrote that, “The enclosures numbered fifty acres instead of ten, the farmsteads were more extended, the groups of cattle formed tribes hereabout; there only families.” ^[8] The word “tribes” is different from family. The concept is more general than that of family. It was a hint that Tess's happiness would not last long. No matter how hard she tried, she would not be considered a member of the family.

2.1.4 Flintcomb-Ash

Tess went to Flintcomb-Ash alone after Angel left. Hardy described the village as “a starve-acre place” that was totally bleak and bald. Following that, a series of episodes present more about the place. It is like “a white vacuity of countenance with the lineaments gone” and also “these two upper and nether visages confronted each other all day long, the white face looking down on the brown face, and the brown face looking up at the white face, without anything standing between them but the two girls crawling over the surface of the former like flies.” ^[9] This description of the environment hints at Tess's mood at the time. Tess had lost all of her beauty and youth. Abandoned by her husband, without the love and care she deserved, she worked the hardest in the coldest winter for the sake of her life. Tess, who was utterly devoid of life, acted like a hollow shell without any feelings.

2. 1. 5. Stonehenge

When Angel returned back for his regret and love to Tess, Tess couldn’t stand all of the mercy of fate, killing Alec. After escaping for several days, they arrived at Stonehenge. At the time Tess fell asleep, the police went there and arrested her. The altar is where ancient British worshiped the sun god. It is clear that Hardy chose the altar as the ending of her life to imply she was the sacrifice to the god, an innocent victim of morality. 

3. Other Symbolism and Imagery

3. 1. Animals

3.1.1 Horse

“Prince lay alongside, still and stark; his eyes half open, the hole in his chest looking scarcely large enough to have let out all that had animated him.”^[10] When seeing the situation, the whole family were extremely upset and thought it was a disaster. In fact, the emaciated, dying Prince of Tess's family is a symbol of decline in the aristocracy. In the Victorian era, with the rapid development, the wealthy middle class increased explosively. At that time, the old aristocracy had lost its place in society. The Prince was killed by a mail-cart, which means modern technology destroyed the peasant economy totally. The peasant economy has reached a difficult point, struggling in the dark and losing its way.

3.1.2 Birds

The image of bird appears repeatedly in the book, playing an important role in characterizing the characters and promoting the development of the plot. When Alec raped Tess in the woods named Chase, “Above them rose the primeval yews and oaks of The Chase, in which there poised gentle roosting birds in their last nap; and about them stole the hopping rabbits and hares.” ^[11] Here the bird is an image of innocence and helplessness, symbolizing the loss of innocent Tess. Her life has completely changed since then.

In the book, not only are the birds appearing as images, but they are the embodiment of human consolation. Hardy thinks that everyone is living on the world stage, even though they don't play the same role, they are all caged birds. No one can escape from the arrangement of their fate.

3. 2. Rose

When Tess first met Alec, they wandered aimlessly through the garden. Alec gathered some flowers and put them on her bosom. In common sense, roses symbolize love and romance. At their first meeting, Alec gave Tess some roses generously which seemed like love, but the fantasy didn’t last for a long time. “She fell to reflecting again, and in looking downwards a thorn of the rose remaining in her breast accidentally pricked her chin.” ^[12] Definitely, the beauty of the rose conceals the lust of Alec and deceives the maiden. Thus, roses still have dual characters here. It is a symbol of love and beauty, but Tess was imposed on them.

4. Conclusion

With the skillful writing techniques of symbolism, Hardy is always remembered in the literary circle. As one of the masterpieces written by Hardy, the book Tess of the D' Urbervilles will be used as reference in the future. The main character Tess in this book is a woman who lives in our hearts forever.

REFERENCES

[1]-[12], Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D’urbervilles, 辽宁人民出版社，2013

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