Submitted by: MADIHA SHAH

ASSIGNMENT: EMERGING FORM OF LITERATURE

TOPIC: NARRATIVE ELEMENTS IN “TESS of d`uerbvilles” by

“Thomas hardy”

SUBMITTED TO: MAAM SANA

DEPARTMENT: BS ENGLISH 8 SEMSTER

ROLL NO # 129

Date : 24 / 4/ 2024

Narrative Elements In The Novel Tess Of D`Urbervilles

Tess of the D`Urbervilles is a tragic work by Thomas Hardy, an English writer of
critical realism. It is a story of country girl who is presented as an innocent girl but
turns into tragic heroin. A young woman from a humble background who faces
numerous challenges and struggles in her life.
In Narrative elements the novel include the plot, setting, point of view, characters
and themes.
Genre:
Victorian novel and Tragedy.
Setting:
The setting of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" is primarily in the fictional county of
Wessex, which is based on the rural countryside of Thomas Hardy's native Dorset
in England. The novel is set during the late 19th century, a time of significant
social and economic change in England.

The rural landscape plays a significant role in the story, as it reflects the themes of
nature, fate, and the harsh realities of rural life. The contrast between the idyllic
countryside and the harshness of Tess's experiences adds depth to the novel.

The setting changes in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" play a significant role in shaping
the narrative and the characters' experiences. The shifts in setting reflect the
changing circumstances and challenges that Tess faces throughout the novel. For
example, the move from the rural countryside to the bustling city of London
represents Tess's journey from innocence to experience, as she navigates the
complexities of urban life.

The different settings also serve to highlight the social and economic disparities of
Victorian England, as Tess moves between the impoverished rural communities
and the wealthy, aristocratic estates. These contrasts underscore the themes of
class, gender, and morality that pervade the novel.

Narrator:
Hardy uses third person omniscient narrator. Although Tess is the focaliser or main
perspective, the narrative also has the privilege of knowing the thoughts of all
characters. Hardy includes authorial intrusions to call our attention away from
Tess's story to wider issues, such as injustice and fate.
The narrative in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" by Thomas Hardy is characterized by
its intricate storytelling, shifting perspectives, and exploration of themes such as
fate, morality, and social class.
Another important element of the narrative in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" is the use
of symbolism and imagery to convey deeper meanings and themes. Hardy's
descriptive language paints a vivid picture of the rural English countryside and the
characters' emotional states, creating a rich and immersive reading experience.
In "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," the narrator undergoes a significant shift in
perspective as the story progresses. At the beginning of the novel, the narrator
takes on a more objective and distant tone, providing a detailed description of the
setting and characters without much emotional involvement. However, as the
narrative unfolds and Tess's tragic story unfolds, the narrator becomes more
empathetic and emotionally invested in her plight.

The narrator's tone becomes more sympathetic towards Tess, highlighting her
struggles and injustices she faces. The narrator also begins to question societal
norms and conventions, criticizing the rigid class distinctions and moral judgments
that impact Tess's life. This shift in perspective reflects the narrator's growing
understanding of Tess's complexity and the challenges she faces as a woman in
Victorian society. The narrator's perspective in the story also changes through the
characters' experiences and interactions throughout the novel. The narrator's
viewpoint is influenced by the characters' actions, emotions, and the unfolding
events in the story.

As the narrator delves deeper into the lives of characters like Tess, Alec, Angel,
and others, their complexities, motivations, and struggles shape the narrator's
understanding and empathy towards them. For example, the narrator initially
presents Tess as a naive and innocent young woman, but as her story progresses
and she faces hardships and betrayals, the narrator's perspective on her character
evolves.

Similarly, the narrator's view of characters like Alec and Angel changes as their
true natures and intentions are revealed through their actions and decisions. The
narrator's shifting perspective on these characters reflects the complexities and
moral ambiguities present in the novel.

Overall, the narrator's changing perspective through the characters in the novel
adds depth and nuance to the storytelling, allowing readers to engage with the
characters on a more emotional and empathetic level. By experiencing the
characters' journeys and growth alongside the narrator, readers are able to form a
deeper connection with the story and its themes.

Plot:

Exposition:
the poor Jhon Durbeyfield on learning that he was the ancestor of an ancient noble
family d’Urbervilles decides to send his daughter Tess to d’Urbervilles mansion,
where they hope Mrs. D’Urbervilles will make Tess`s fortune. In reality she was
no relation of Tess at all. She got a job at the mansion to attend the fowls.
Rising action:
Tess's family's discovery that they are ancient English aristocracy, giving them all
fantasies of a higher station in life; Tess's accidental killing of the family horse,
which drives her to seek help from the d'Urbervilles, where she is seduced and
dishonored. This encounter sets off a chain of events that leads to Tess's tragic
fate. She seduced by Alec and become pregnant. This encounter sets off a chain of
events that leads to Tess's tragic fate.

Major conflict:

Tess leaves home to start fresh, and falls in love with Angel.

Tess is no longer a virgin, which means she's not exactly marriageable anymore,
according to 19th Century English principles. She leaves home for a fresh start
and, despite her resolution never to marry, she falls in love with Angel Clare, a
gentleman's son who's learning about dairy farming. How will she resolve her
decision never to marry with her desire to be with Angel?

Climax:

Tess confesses her history to Angel on their wedding night.

The story reach its climax when she tries to tell about his past to Angle clear. Of
course love triumphs over everything else, and Angel finally persuades Tess to
marry him. He doesn't know anything about her history, and she keeps trying to tell
him, but isn't able to. She even writes it all down in a letter to him, but he never
receives it. So on their wedding night, she confesses everything.

Suspense

Angel abandons her, and Alec starts harassing her again.

Angel can't believe that Tess isn't the pure and unsullied country girl that he
thought she was. His whole worldview collapses when she confesses that she's had
sex (even though it was a rape). So he leaves her with money and instructions on
how to get more from his family if she needs it.
But Tess is too proud to ask for help, and ends up working as a farm laborer to
make ends meet while Angel's gone. While Tess is living on her own, Alec sees
her again for the first time since the rape. He becomes obsessed with her again, and
stalks her and harasses her until she finally tells him that she's married to someone
else.

Conclusion:

Tess and Angel are reunited, so Tess murders Alec, is arrested, and hanged.

Of course, Angel does come back. He realized just how wrong he was, and comes
back to find Tess and beg forgiveness. But it's too late! She's already married Alec,
and when she sees that Angel has come back for her, and still loves her, she
murders Alec. She and Angel flee together to avoid the authorities, and she's
finally arrested, tried, and executed.

CHRACTERIZATION:
Tess Durbeyfield:
Tess is the archetypal anti-heroine. That is, she does not win major battles or
influence political decisions; instead, she inhabits her own small world and tries to
cope with the fate that life has dealt her. By the end of the novel, she is a complete,
whole character, but the scale of her influence in her own world, Wessex, is small
indeed. Nonetheless, Tess has heroic qualities that make her worthy of our
admiration. These qualities are most evident in the following scenes: when she
baptizes her infant son, Sorrow; when she endures the tortures of Alec's violation
and Angel's abandonment; and when she finally and irrevocably rids herself of
Alec's influence. Thus, Tess is a heroine, but on an everyday, ordinary scale.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles is considered a round character because she is complex
and multi-dimensional. She undergoes significant development throughout the
novel and is portrayed with a range of emotions, thoughts, and actions.
The character of Tess is considered to be a round character. This means that she is
well-developed, complex, and exhibits a range of emotions and motivations
throughout the story. Tess undergoes significant growth and change, facing various
challenges and dilemmas that shape her character and actions.
Angel Clare
An intelligent young man who has decided to become a farmer to preserve his
intellectual freedom from the pressures of city life. Angel’s father and his two
brothers are respected clergymen, but Angel’s religious doubts have kept him from
joining the ministry. He meets Tess when she is a milkmaid at the Talbothays
Dairy and quickly falls in love with her.

Alec d’Urberville
The handsome, amoral son of a wealthy merchant named Simon Stokes. Alec is
not really a d’Urberville—his father simply took on the name of the ancient noble
family after he built his mansion and retired. Alec is a manipulative, sinister young
man who does everything he can to seduce the inexperienced Tess when she comes
to work for his family. When he finally has his way with her, out in the woods, he
subsequently tries to help her but is unable to make her love him.

Conclusion:
So I conclude that Tess of d`urberville as a novel which can be considered non-
linear, as it does not follow a strictly chronological order. The narrative is
structured in a way that incorporates flashbacks, memories, and shifts in time to
provide a deeper understanding of the characters and their experiences.

The novel begins with Tess as a young woman living in rural England, but quickly
delves into her past and the events that have shaped her life. Through these non-
linear storytelling techniques, the reader gains insight into Tess's upbringing, her
relationships, and the challenges she faces as she navigates a society that is often
unforgiving and unjust.

The non-linear nature of the plot allows for a more complex exploration of themes
such as fate, morality, and the impact of societal expectations on individual lives. It
also adds depth to the characters and their motivations, as their actions are often
influenced by past events and circumstances.

Overall, the non-linear structure of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" enhances the

richness and complexity of the narrative, making it a compelling and thought-
provoking read.