Review

Thomas Hardy wrote "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" during the late 19th century, in the Victorian era, a period marked by the Industrial Revolution. This era brought significant changes and upheavals in British society. The transition from a traditional agricultural society to an industrialized one led to profound changes in social structures. While these changes resulted in economic prosperity, they also brought numerous social problems, such as widening wealth gaps, poor labor conditions, and the urbanization of rural populations. Tess was born into a poor peasant family. Her father accidentally learned that their family was descended from the noble d'Urberville lineage and decided to use this information to improve their circumstances. Tess was sent to work for the d'Urberville family, where she met Alec d'Urberville. Alec harbored ill intentions towards Tess and ultimately violated her. Tess returned home pregnant, and her child soon died, plunging her into deep sorrow. To escape her past, Tess went to work at Talbothays Dairy, where she met the handsome Angel Clare. They fell in love and got married, but on their wedding night, Tess confessed her past to Angel, who could not accept it and left her. Tess faced life's hardships alone and eventually encountered Alec again, reluctantly becoming his mistress. In the end, Angel realized his mistake and returned to Tess. However, by then, Tess had already killed Alec in a desperate bid for short-lived happiness and chose to flee with Angel. Ultimately, Tess was captured, sentenced to death, and met a tragic end. Tess's life is filled with the twists of fate and the distortions of human nature. Her innocence, kindness, and beauty did not bring her happiness; instead, they made her a victim of society, family, and love. Through Tess's experiences, Hardy profoundly reveals the cruel oppression of women and the injustices inflicted upon individuals by society.In the novel, Hardy's portrayal of Tess is filled with sympathy and compassion. He not only creates a vivid female character but also reflects the darker aspects of society through her fate. Tess is a tragic figure whose life is a continuous struggle and suffering. However, her resilience and courage are moving; even in the most desperate moments, she never gives up her pursuit of happiness. Hardy's primary motivation for writing "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" was to expose and critique the oppression and injustice faced by women in society. During the Victorian era, women had a low social status and were subject to strict moral constraints and social prejudices. Through Tess's tragic fate, Hardyaimed to draw attention to women's rights and status, urging society to reconsider the harsh expectations and unfair treatment imposed on women.Hardy employs various narrative techniques in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," making the novel rich in vivid imagery and deep emotions. First, Hardy excels in detailed environmental descriptions that enhance the characters' psychological states and the development of the plot. For instance, when Tess first arrives at the d'Urberville estate, Hardy contrasts the estate's luxury with Tess's simplicity, foreshadowing the dangers and misfortunes she is about to face. Secondly, Hardy's skillful character descriptions bring each character to life. Tess's innocence and resilience, Alec's cunning and deceit, and Angel's contradictions and fragility are all vividly portrayed through meticulous descriptions. Additionally, Hardy uses symbolism and metaphor to reinforce the novel's themes. For example, Tess's labor scenes in the fields symbolize her struggle against fate, while her weeping at the stone pillar signifies her inner despair and helplessness.As university students, reading "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" is not merely an appreciation of a classic literary work but also a profound reflection on our own circumstances and social responsibilities. In Tess's story, we see her resilience and courage in facing injustice and adversity, qualities that every young person should learn from. We are at a critical stage in our lives, facing challenges such as academics, employment, and social pressures. Tess's experiences remind us that no matter how difficult it may be, we should never easily give up on our dreams and pursuits. Moreover, as the new generation, we have a responsibility to pay attention to and improve the injustices in society. Tess's fate tells us that the oppression and injustice faced by individuals require the attention and efforts of the entire society to change. We must learn to be strong in adversity and have the courage and wisdom to promote social progress, becoming active participants and builders of our time.In conclusion, "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" is a heart-wrenching tragic novel that not only portrays Tess's tragic fate but also exposes various societal injustices. Through detailed descriptions and deep emotions, Hardy creates an everlasting literary figure. Tess's resilience and tragic nature make her an indelible presence in literary history. Reading this novel allows us to feel Tess's fate and prompts us to reflect on societal oppression and the destruction of humanity. Through Tess's story, Hardy calls for attention to and improvement of social injustices, demonstrating his profound sense of social responsibility as a writer. At the same time, reading "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" allows us to deeply understand the complex relationship between individuals and society, enhances our awareness of social responsibility, and inspires us to maintain resilience and courage when facing future challenges.