Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
English
Date of Award
5-2004
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Judith B. Slagle
Committee Members
Robert Sawyer, William Styron Harris Jr.
Abstract
Many female characters in Thomas Hardy’s novels clearly illustrate one of the Victorian stereotypes of women: the proper, submissive housewife or the rebellious, independent dreamer. Hardy does not demonstrate how women should be, but rather how society pressures women to conform to the accepted image. Hardy progresses from subtly criticizing society, as seen in The Return of the Native and The Woodlanders, to overtly condemning gender roles and marriage in Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure. The characters of Thomasin, Mrs. Yeobright, and Grace Melbury illustrate those who submit to society’s expectations; and Eustacia Vye, Felice Charmond, Tess Durbyfield, Sue Bridehead, and Arabella Donn illustrate the stereotypical seductress. Hardy’s female characters seem to experience especially harsh or condemning circumstances due to the social expectations placed upon them. These unpleasant events earn readers’ sympathy and work to subvert the traditional limiting views of women.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Notgrass, Jessica D., "Social Influences on the Female in the Novels of Thomas Hardy." (2004). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 876. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/876
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
English Language and Literature Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons