" Every Successful man is more or less a Selfish man."
- Thomas Hardy
' Jude the Obscure '
' Thinking Activity '
Hello readers! Here, I am going to Write down an another blog Thomas Hardy 's novel - 'Jude the Obscure' . This blog is inspired by Dr. Dilip sir barad as a part of thinking activity. In this blog, I am going to discuss about the title and Female characters of this novel.
First, Let's have a brief Overview about the author - Thomas Hardy and his novel.
Thomas Hardy :-
Thomas Hardy ( 1840 - 1928) was an English novelist and Poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot. He was influenced both in his novels and in his Poetry by Romanticism, including the Poetry of William Wordsworth. He was highly Critical of much in Victorian Society, especially on the declining status of rural people in Britain, Such as those from his native South west England.
Hardy is direct and Simple, aiming at realism in all things. He Portrayed the hardships of Working Class people in his Works. He Set much of his work in Wessex. Thomas Hardy 's novels though generally Powerful and sometimes Fascinating.
About the Novel :-
Jude the Obscure - Novel written by Thomas Hardy. This novel began as a Magazine Serial in December 1894 and was First Published in book form in the Year - 1895. This novel is Hardy's last work of Fiction.
It is also one of his most gloomily Fatalistic , depicting the lives of Individuals who aretrapped by forces beyond their Control. The novel's sexual frankness Shocked the Public and Criticize Hardy.
He was so much distressed with the negative response that he wrote no more Fiction, and Concentrating Solely on his Poetry. The novel is Concerned in particular with the issues of Class, Education , religion, marriage and morality.
Jude the Obscure - 1895 is a better expression of Hardy's literary art and of his gloomy Philosophy.
Here I am placing two Videos about the Summary and Characters of this novel so Further it will help you in understanding my answers based on this novel.
Main Characters in the Novel :-
• Jude Fawley - Protagonist of the novel, Important and tricular figure who aspires to a University education.
• Susana ( Sue ) Bridehead - Second lover and First Cousin of Jude, an intelligent and Unconventional Young woman.
• Arabella Donn - A sensually attractive woman, First lover of Jude.
• Little Father Time - Son of Arabella and Jude , also known as Little Jude.
• Richard Phillotson - Jude's Former teacher.
• Drusilla Fawley - Jude's great aunt - Who raised Jude.
Structure of the novel :-
This novel divided into Six parts and Every Parts has their names. They are given as below.
• Part 1 :- Marygreen.
• Part 2 :- At Chrisminster.
• Part 3 :- At Melchester.
• Part 4 :- At Shaston.
• Part 5 :- At Aldbrickham and Elsewhere.
• Part 6 :- At Christminster again.
Our Protagonist - Jude Fawley moving from one place to an another Place.
Question 1 :- Justify the title of the novel -
' Jude the Obscure.'
Answer :- Hardy 's Novel - Jude the Obscure ' Follows Jude Fawley, a poor and an Orphan living with his aunt. He inspired by his Former School teacher - Richard Phillotson. Jude dreams of Studying in Chrisminster - University Place and becoming a Scholar like his teacher. Thomas Hardy regarded the novel as a - ' Tragedy of Unfulfilled aims.'
From the Starting of the novel - Jude yearns for a University education. However, as the novel progresses , Jude's hopes and aspirations for an University education dwindle. While, Jude tried to Pursue and accomplish his dream and aspirations the novel serves as a Cautionary tale to prepare readers for the Uncertainty that life Provides to the Characters.
Even the title of the novel Sets the Forbidding tone and reveals the novel's themes. The Word Obscure means;
' Something Which is not Clear, invisible, Very hard and difficult to Understand.'
Jude - Our Protagonist of the novel never departs from Obscurity. Instead he is forced to experience an Unfortunate and miserable series of events through a Society that does not Permit Jude to go beyond his Social Class. His application rejected from University because he was working as a Stonemason. So, the theme of Social Class reflected in the novel. Rather than inspire Jude and Provide him with all the necessities to Obtain an education , the figures of Chrisminster refuses to aid him. By advising Jude to remain in his Social Status. This action Shows Jude that the University System is etlitist. Hardy also Criticize in education System.
Conclusion :- To Conclude We can say that Hardy Presented a realistic yet Cruel Portrayal of Victorian Society. But he also tells a Story of Survival. So, the title of the Play - ' Jude the Obscure ' is Perfect according to the Circumstances and the Situations took Place in the novel.
Question 2 :- Write a detailed note on the Female Characters in the novel.
Answer :- Two Completely different Women, Sue Bridehead and Arabella Donn Share the same man in Thomas Hardy's novel - 'Jude the Obscure.' They both are Completely Opposites - from their behaviours , to their appearances, to their treatment with Jude. Both the female characters Played very vital role throughout the novel. Hardy makes best female representations through this Characters.
So, Let's discuss them in detail.
• Arabella Donn :-
The First Female Character is Arabella Donn. She is So selfish, thoughtless and manipulative that it is very hard to take her Seriously as a character in some ways. She is Jude's First love and romance. She is least ambitious than sue Bridehead. Arabella wants a man who will Satisfy her and who will Provide all the Comfort and Some of the luxuries of life. She is sensually very attractive woman and also capable of understanding a good deal in the emotional life of other People.
She is very Frank about her Sexuality and lures Jude into a Sexual relationship that ends in their disastrous marriage because he Pretends to be Pregnant. She represents Several time in the novel and tricks Jude into marrying her.
• Susana ( Sue ) Bridehead :-
The Second Female Character in the novel is Susana also known as Sue Bridehead. She is a very independent, Strong and Sympathetic Character. Also she is Jude's intelligent Cousin and the second love of Jude after Arabella. Sue has Changed Several jobs.She worked first as an artist - designer and later as a teacher. Sue is a modern woman and a free thinker. She has a nervous disposition and has trouble making decisions about relationships.
She is the Second Protagonist of this novel. Her Parents were divorced and she was raised in London and Chrisminster.She generally lacks sexual Passion especially compared to Arabella and Jude. Sue Bridehead is portrayed as inconsistent , emotional , often changing her mind abruptly. But, as the novel Progresses She developed a strong relationship and love with Jude. But the death of her Children in the novel drives Sue to a harsh, legalistic version of Christianity as she believes that she is being Punished for her earlier rebellion against Christianity.
She Completely became changed Character after the death of her children in the novel.
Earlier, she was very free thinker woman but after the incidence of her children 's death She totally became religious one.
Conclusion :- In Conclusion we can say that Both the Female Characters are totally different from each other in many ways.But they both played very important role in the life of Jude. Through this Characters Hardy makes best female representations in this novel.
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