Paper no 4: The Literature of the Victorians

Paper 104: The Literature of the Victorians 

Personal Information:

Name: Manasi Joshi 

Batch: M.A Sem (1)

Email Id: mansijoshi202@gmail.com

Assignment Topic: 

                                    Adultery in Jude the Obscure

Introduction:

Jude the Obscure is a novel by Thomas Hardy that was published in 1895. It is considered Hardy's best and final published novel. The story is set in the fictional town of Wessex, which is based on Hardy's hometown of Dorset. The novel is about a poor young man named Jude Fawley who tries to rise above his class but is thwarted by society and nature.

About main topic:

concept of companionate marriage, which is based on love and mutual understanding between two people, free from the restrictions of traditional marriage contracts. While this idea of "free union" was ahead of its time, society in the 1890s, rooted in conservative values, was not ready to accept it. In Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure, the characters Sue and Jude embody this progressive idea of love, making them resemble modern couples. However, they live in a society that strictly enforces the traditional idea of marriage, which requires legal and social validation, often at the cost of a person’s true self and freedom.

Society imposes marriage as a tool to control individuals, particularly women. For example, it dictates that a woman’s pregnancy must happen within wedlock to maintain her respectability. Sue, as an unwed mother of Jude’s children, faces harsh judgment and begins to see her misfortunes—like the tragic death of her children—as divine punishment for breaking societal norms. Overwhelmed by guilt, Sue ultimately conforms to these oppressive expectations by returning to her estranged husband, Phillotson, despite her unhappiness. In doing so, she sacrifices her free, intuitive love with Jude and resigns herself to a life dictated by societal rules, leading to disillusionment and the death of her true feelings.

The excerpt highlights themes from Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure, focusing on the struggles of the two main characters, Jude and Sue. Sue's personality shifts dramatically after the death of her children, revealing her as both self-centered (an egotist) and a victim of complex problems. These issues also affect Jude, who sacrifices his dreams of education and a fulfilling personal life due to his relationship with Sue.

Hardy explores how society imposes dualism—a conflict between personal desires and societal expectations—on individuals. Jude becomes a victim of this dualism, forced to navigate between his ambitions and the restrictive norms of his time. The novel portrays how society traps individuals in "meaningless problems" that often stem from class and gender oppression. While some characters, like Jude and Sue, accept their fate with resignation, others rebel, only to face heartbreak and disappointment. Ultimately, the novel critiques societal structures that continue to be relevant today, showing how people struggle under oppression related to class, gender, and societal norms.

In Jude the Obscure, Sue Bridehead is an unconventional and rebellious character who challenges traditional ideas about marriage. She chooses to live with Jude and have children outside of marriage, which society at the time would consider immoral. However, Sue is not depraved; she is deeply moral, thoughtful, and principled. Her character reflects Hardy's critique of rigid social norms, particularly those surrounding marriage.

The novel's epigraph, "The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" (from 2 Corinthians 3:6), highlights this tension. It suggests that strict adherence to laws and formalities—like those of marriage—can harm the spirit of human relationships. Hardy uses Sue's story to question whether legal and societal rules truly uphold morality or instead stifle genuine human connections. This reflects a broader criticism of how bureaucratic systems prioritize rules over the essence of personal freedom and ethical living.

Sue initially inspires and uplifts Jude’s life but makes a sudden decision to marry Phillotson after learning that Jude was previously married to Arabella. On the other hand, Jude, feeling miserable and lonely, goes back to Arabella initially for one night but later stays with her indefinitely, out of hopelessness and a sense of giving up. When divorce appears as a possible solution to their unhappy marriages, it complicates the situation for everyone involved. Sue expresses the strongest feelings about this, believing that the marriage vows are deeply significant and binding. She feels that divorce, no matter how legally valid, cannot truly undo the bond created by marriage.

how social and religious institutions play a significant role in the struggles faced by Jude and Sue in Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy.

Social Restrictions through Letters:

A letter rejecting Jude’s application to study at the university symbolizes the rigid class structure of society. It reflects how the upper classes maintain their privilege by denying opportunities to those from lower, working-class backgrounds. This letter represents the broader social attitudes that discourage ambition and upward mobility for artisans like Jude.

Religious Oppression:

The "letter killeth" refers to how strict religious teachings suppress individuality and free thought. The church's doctrines and rules stifle Jude and Sue's attempts to create a life together, as the nonsecular society enforces moral and social codes that feel oppressive and inflexible. Hardy highlights this through repetitive, rigidly "churchy" language in the novel.

Examples of Religious Tyranny:

Hardy illustrates the suffocating nature of religious practices through various episodes, such as references to the Ten Commandments, hypocritical public prayers by Arabella, and Sue’s final act of self-sacrifice. These examples underline the strict and often harsh control of organized religion over people's lives and choices.

how society and literature during the Victorian era judged women based on class, education, and behavior. The author compares two female characters, Arabella and Sue, to explore this prejudice.

Arabella is described as "animalistic" and "unrefined," but because she comes from a lower class and lacks education, society has low expectations for her behavior. She does not represent an ideal for Victorian women, so her flaws are seen as natural or acceptable.

Sue, on the other hand, is middle-class, educated, and sensitive, which places her under stricter moral scrutiny. Because of her social standing, society expects her to embody the virtues of a "proper" woman—chaste, obedient, and reserved. Her failure to meet these ideals makes her appear more "vicious" and "unclean" in the eyes of others.

Sue's struggles as a middle-class woman bound by societal norms. She is constantly judged for her relationships with men, including being criticized for her compliance in fulfilling marital duties despite her discomfort. The imagery of her crouching in her nightclothes symbolizes her submission and the personal cost of adhering to these oppressive expectations.

Sue’s comment about her "pretty body" being her ruin reflects her awareness that her physicality has been a source of both attraction and suffering. As she transitions from carefree youth to constrained womanhood, Sue adopts a mask of respectability to protect herself. However, this inner conflict manifests in behaviors like mood swings and indecision, which might today be diagnosed as a mental health issue.

some important themes and ideas in Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure, focusing on gender roles, morality, and humanitarianism. It uses Victorian cultural ideas to explain the characters and their significance in the story.

In Victorian society, women were often categorized into two stereotypes: the "Madonna" and the "Magdalen." The Madonna was the ideal, virtuous woman, pure and chaste, often seen as the perfect wife. In contrast, the Magdalen was considered a fallen woman, unsuitable for marriage but often used in secret relationships. Hardy challenges this cultural expectation by having Jude marry Arabella, who is associated with the Magdalen figure, rather than Sue, who represents a rebellious version of the Madonna.

Sue, though outwardly respectable, secretly defies social norms. She pretends to conform, such as attending church for appearances, but privately embraces paganism by acquiring pagan statuettes. These figurines symbolize her inner rebellion and rejection of strict societal expectations. Sue's actions, such as running away from her oppressive teacher training school, show her independence and refusal to be controlled by societal rules.

The novel also emphasizes themes of compassion and opposition to cruelty. Jude's actions, such as his attempt to befriend the rooks, stop the pig killing, and defend a donkey from mistreatment, reflect his deep sense of humanity. Similarly, Sue shows a sensitivity to the suffering of animals, which ties into the broader theme of humanitarianism in the novel. Hardy's portrayal of these characters demonstrates his call for a kinder, more compassionate society.

Hardy himself acknowledged that Jude the Obscure was not written with a specific purpose or agenda, but he felt it conveyed a powerful message about humanity and the need to end unnecessary suffering for all living beings. This makes the novel a reflection on morality and human kindness, setting it apart from Hardy's other works.

The complex struggles of the characters Jude and Sue in Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure as they navigate their emotional and sexual needs in a restrictive social and moral environment. The story highlights the tension between individual desires and societal expectations, particularly those imposed by the institution of marriage.

At one extreme, Arabella represents a raw, unfiltered view of sexuality, focused on physical appetite, as seen in her provocative actions toward Jude. On the other hand, Sue presents a contrasting perspective, where sexuality and emotional intimacy are approached cautiously, even fearfully. She avoids traditional marital roles and rejects societal norms, going as far as likening marriage to prostitution in her relationship with Phillotson. Sue's attitude reflects her inner conflict and the cultural context of the time, as new studies on sexuality were emerging and challenging Victorian conventions.

Sue is portrayed as a woman ahead of her time, grappling with self-discovery and repression while seeking honest communication about her needs with Jude. Jude, in turn, respects her need for independence and tries to support her, but their relationship ultimately fails. The failure is not due to a lack of effort but because the institution of marriage itself imposes constraints that neither can overcome. Sue perceives marriage laws as granting unfair power to the husband, making her feel vulnerable and undermining the equality she desires in their relationship.

The novel also contrasts the rigidity of contemporary marriage laws with earlier times when family dynamics played a larger role in regulating relationships. In the past, live-in relatives often acted as checks against abuse within marriages, which provided a different social structure. However, in Sue’s era, the marriage license symbolized the husband's dominance, which she feared might corrupt the balance of power in her relationship with Jude. Even though Jude respects her autonomy, Sue’s anxiety about marriage and its implications reflects the broader societal struggles of the time.

Sue is questioning the societal rules and expectations (referred to as "social molds") that dictate how people should behave in love and marriage. She compares these rules to the shapes of constellations in the sky, which are made up by humans and don’t reflect the actual positions of the stars. Similarly, she believes that the legal and social structures around marriage don’t truly fit people’s individual feelings or desires.

The passage also mentions examples of outdated marriage customs. For instance, in the past, a bride was expected to vow obedience to her husband for life. Another example is that a husband, in the case of divorce, could sue his wife’s new partner for damages. This was based on the idea that the wife was considered the husband’s "property," and her new relationship caused him a loss. However, Phillotson, one of the characters in the story, does not follow this practice because Jude, the other man involved, is too poor to make it worthwhile.

The author also comments on how Jude's unhappy marriage to Arabella is described in a way that critiques the institution of marriage itself, showing its flaws and the problems it can create for individuals.

In Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, Jude and Sue start with a joyful and innocent relationship, working together harmoniously "like two children." However, societal pressures and harsh judgment begin to affect them, turning their happiness into despair. The situation worsens when their children tragically die, leading Sue to return to her unhappy marriage and Jude to die alone in poverty.

Despite this tragic end, Jude reaches a deeper understanding of his suffering. In his Remembrance Day speech, he reflects on the values of his life, reaffirming his commitment to ideals like education and personal growth, even in a society that values only practical results. Jude recognizes that his pain is not just a personal failure but part of a larger social problem. He acknowledges his own mistakes but also points out that society’s rigid rules and expectations contribute to his tragedy.

Jude’s speech highlights the need for society to critically examine its structures and values. He suggests that change is possible, but it requires individuals with wisdom and courage to challenge the status quo. Jude’s statement, “I perceive that there is something wrong somewhere in our social formulas...”, emphasizes that the causes of suffering are not inevitable but rooted in social systems that humans have the power to change.

Conclusion:

Sue's statement that her married relations with Phillotson would be "adultery" is a powerful moment that overturns conventional laws and religions. Sue is emotionally inconsistent, but she is usually incapable of lying. She may not actually love Jude yet, but she is still looking for an intellectual, platonic “soulmate”.

References: 

Article reference has taken from online Website

Article writer: Alaq Diaa