SHORT ANSWERS
TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES BY THOMAS HARDY
QUESTION NO. 33
Answer the following questions.
(i) Why has Hardy divided 'Tess of the d'Urbevilles' in 'Phases'?
Ans. Hardy has divided "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" into seven large sections called 'phases'. It is interesting that Hardy has chosen the word 'phase' to describe each of these sections. It seems to symbolize that Tess, like a plant, an animal, or the moon, goes through natural cycles of growth. The 'phases' mark the major points of her emotional and spiritual growth, starting with "The Maiden" and ending with "Fulfillment".
Ans. Hardy has divided "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" into seven large sections called 'phases'. It is interesting that Hardy has chosen the word 'phase' to describe each of these sections. It seems to symbolize that Tess, like a plant, an animal, or the moon, goes through natural cycles of growth. The 'phases' mark the major points of her emotional and spiritual growth, starting with "The Maiden" and ending with "Fulfillment".
(ii) What is the setting of the novel 'Tess of the d'Urbevilles'?
Ans. Most of the action takes place in the late 19th Century in Southwestern England in the country of Wessex, the fictional name of Dorset Country. Almost all of Hardy's novels take place in this same general area. The other places include Marlott, Curitiba, and Salisbury.
Ans. Most of the action takes place in the late 19th Century in Southwestern England in the country of Wessex, the fictional name of Dorset Country. Almost all of Hardy's novels take place in this same general area. The other places include Marlott, Curitiba, and Salisbury.
(iii) In which village the novel 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' starts?
Ans. The novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" by Thomas Hardy starts from the village of Marlott. This is Tess's childhood home and lay amid the northeastern undulation of the beautiful Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor.
Ans. The novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" by Thomas Hardy starts from the village of Marlott. This is Tess's childhood home and lay amid the northeastern undulation of the beautiful Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor.
(iv) What are the major symbols in 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles'?
Ans. Prince the horse, seal and spoon, Brazil, the d'Urberville coach, the d'Urberville family vault, red and white, club-walking, the chases verses the slopes and cows are the major symbols in "Tess of the d'Urbevilles".
Ans. Prince the horse, seal and spoon, Brazil, the d'Urberville coach, the d'Urberville family vault, red and white, club-walking, the chases verses the slopes and cows are the major symbols in "Tess of the d'Urbevilles".
(v) What are the major themes of 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles'?
Ans. The injustice of existence, changing ideas of social class in Victorian England, men dominating women, fate and free will, memory and the past, nature and modernity, Paganism and Christianity, contrasting regions, marriage, time and sex are the major themes of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles".
Ans. The injustice of existence, changing ideas of social class in Victorian England, men dominating women, fate and free will, memory and the past, nature and modernity, Paganism and Christianity, contrasting regions, marriage, time and sex are the major themes of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles".
(vi) What is foreshadowing?
Ans. Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives and advance hint of what is come later in the story. It is used to avoid disappointment and arouse the reader. For example, "He had no idea of the disastrous chain of events to follow". In this sentence, while the protagonist is clueless of further developments, the readers learns that something disastrous is about to happen for the protagonist.
Ans. Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives and advance hint of what is come later in the story. It is used to avoid disappointment and arouse the reader. For example, "He had no idea of the disastrous chain of events to follow". In this sentence, while the protagonist is clueless of further developments, the readers learns that something disastrous is about to happen for the protagonist.
(vii) What is the significance of the legend of the d'Urberville Coach?
Ans. The d'Urberville coach is an old legend of the family which Angel mentions and Alec later explains to Tess. The coach is a symbol of foreshadowing and the theme of fate that looms over all the characters in the novel. Whenever a d'Urberville hears the sound of an invisible coach it is supposed to be a bad omen. The coach also symbolizes the ancient idea of being punished for one's ancestors.
Ans. The d'Urberville coach is an old legend of the family which Angel mentions and Alec later explains to Tess. The coach is a symbol of foreshadowing and the theme of fate that looms over all the characters in the novel. Whenever a d'Urberville hears the sound of an invisible coach it is supposed to be a bad omen. The coach also symbolizes the ancient idea of being punished for one's ancestors.
(viii) Why did contemporary critics think that 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' was 'immoral'?
Ans. Contemporary critics like Mowbray Morris though that "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" was 'immoral' because people usually associated the Victorian Period with sexual repression and general prudishness. Thus the sexiness in the novel made is 'immoral' in their eyes.
Ans. Contemporary critics like Mowbray Morris though that "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" was 'immoral' because people usually associated the Victorian Period with sexual repression and general prudishness. Thus the sexiness in the novel made is 'immoral' in their eyes.
(ix) What defect marks the social life of the people in and around Trantridge?
Ans. The villagers around Trantridge live for the moment, disdaining the idea of saving for the future. Many of them are hard drinkers.
Ans. The villagers around Trantridge live for the moment, disdaining the idea of saving for the future. Many of them are hard drinkers.
(x) What does Hardy mean when he says that Angel's fastidious love could 'guard the loved one against his very self'?
Ans. Angel really loves Tess. However, he has problems with Tess's sexual history. Though it takes a while for him to reconcile her past with his ideas about sexual morality, he never stops loving her and his devotion is always complete.
Ans. Angel really loves Tess. However, he has problems with Tess's sexual history. Though it takes a while for him to reconcile her past with his ideas about sexual morality, he never stops loving her and his devotion is always complete.
(xi) Who is Tess?
Ans. Tess is the heroine and moral centre of the novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" by Hardy. She is beautiful and irresistible to men. She lives with her impoverished family in the village Marlott. She is also young, innocent, and uneducated -- unaware that the world is rifle with lust, cruelty, and vanity.
Ans. Tess is the heroine and moral centre of the novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" by Hardy. She is beautiful and irresistible to men. She lives with her impoverished family in the village Marlott. She is also young, innocent, and uneducated -- unaware that the world is rifle with lust, cruelty, and vanity.
(xii) Why is it difficult for Tess to reject Alec outright when he asks her to become his mistress?
Ans. It is difficult for Tess to reject the marriage proposal of Alec outright because Alec can offer economic security, not only for Tess but her family as well.
Ans. It is difficult for Tess to reject the marriage proposal of Alec outright because Alec can offer economic security, not only for Tess but her family as well.
(xiii) Who causes more destruction to Tess, Alec or Angel? Why?
Ans. Angel causes more destruction to Tess. Angel has a moral centre and knows right from wrong. Alex is an idiot, an easily leadable wolf who has no redeemable qualities. Alex is incompetent and cannot be held responsible. Angle is the only character in the novel who should have known better, did know better and still behaves like a child.
Ans. Angel causes more destruction to Tess. Angel has a moral centre and knows right from wrong. Alex is an idiot, an easily leadable wolf who has no redeemable qualities. Alex is incompetent and cannot be held responsible. Angle is the only character in the novel who should have known better, did know better and still behaves like a child.
(xiv) Why does Tess decide to leave Marlott?
Ans. Tess leaves the d'Urberbille estate when she is going to have a baby. Then she decides to leave Marlott when she is hurt by her father words, when her father says that the people will laugh at them again by the story of her marriage.
Ans. Tess leaves the d'Urberbille estate when she is going to have a baby. Then she decides to leave Marlott when she is hurt by her father words, when her father says that the people will laugh at them again by the story of her marriage.
(xv) What does Stonehenge figure in Tess' end? What do you think it represents?
Ans. Stonehenge is a symbol of the ever-present past. It is Tess's final place of symbolic sacrifice for her love for Angel Clare. Hardy's decision to end the novel at Stonehenge not only gives the novel a dramatic and unforgettable ending, but also shows Hardy's characters' desire to see paganism as an alternative for a wholly Christian belief system.
Ans. Stonehenge is a symbol of the ever-present past. It is Tess's final place of symbolic sacrifice for her love for Angel Clare. Hardy's decision to end the novel at Stonehenge not only gives the novel a dramatic and unforgettable ending, but also shows Hardy's characters' desire to see paganism as an alternative for a wholly Christian belief system.
No comments:
Post a Comment