《德伯家的苔丝》中苔丝的英雄主义形象浅析.docVIP

Abstract: Introduced in this research paper is a vital aspect ———Heroism of Tess in Hardy’s novel TESS OF THE D’URBERVILL ES. The author studies this topic through it s definition and standard, together with criticism of King. Besides, by analyzing different examples of Tess’s heroic actions, the author discusses the relationship between Tess’s heroism and tragedy. Key words : heroism 。 Tess 。tragedy Heroism, according to Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, is“heroic conduct”and “the quality (as courage, bravery, self - sacrifice, unselfishness of a hero”. As to the main character Tess in Thomas Hardy’s TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES,there is absolutely something more. Apart from her endurance , “Tess’s acute sense of responsibility ,which may lead to the assumption of tasks ,to be done or to the sense of guilt for things done or left undone ,is a strong unifying element”(Heilman ,P. XX . Let alone her womanliness and beauty. Jeannette King, in her Tragedy in the Victorian Novel, says“Hardy treats this (the seduction as the moment from which Tess’s heroism begins (P. 113”. I don’t think this is accurate. She neglects one thing: though quite young, Tess is not as vulnerable as the girls in her age. Facing Alec’s bad - treatment and cursing, the country girl“cried with spirit: You ought to be ashamed of yourself “I hate you and detest you!”(Hardy, P. 98. Can’t it be a good evidence of her heroic behavior? In effect, Tess’s heroism runs through the whole novel, from the very beginning to the end. Hardy goes out his way to establish Tess’s beauty and womanliness. Tess is of course attractive physically ———Alec can’t help occupying her (hence the seduction。 what’s more, he makes his last pursuit. Angel, the romantic hero, “He had never before seen a woman’s lips and teeth which forced upon his mind with such persistent iteration the old Elizabethan simile of roses filled with snow”(Hardy , P. 209 . He confesses that he is devoted to her in all sincerity and asks