“The Private Little Sun”: The Symbolism of the Sun in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Yan Fang

doi:10.20849/ajsss.v7i2.1001

Abstract

Tess of the d’Urbervilles is written by Thomas Hardy, first published serially in 1891. The subtitle of this novel is called A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented as Hardy believes the heroine is a virtuous victim of a rigid Victorian moral code. In this novel, Hardy engages the imagery of sun with the action and the theme by different artistic skills. As a novelist with keen insight, Hardy sees natural surroundings among the important formative influences of a person’s life, especially for Tess. Hardy makes frequent use of this instinctive response to climate and geography. The novel is structured so that events take place in seasons which are artistically appropriate. At the most beautiful, productive season of the year, Nature appears to be striving for perfection: everything tends towards wholeness. Yet in the bleak and cold seasons one must go through all the difficulties and disillusionment. The symbol of the sun and the alternation of the seasons give this novel its everlasting complexity and tension.

Highlights

While depicting the cheerful May-Day walking, Hardy argues that Tess, the heroine of the novel, holds “a private little sun” (Hardy, 20)
Hardy engages the imagery of sun with the action and the theme by different artistic skills
In July 1888, Hardy wrote in his notebook: Thought of the determination to enjoy. We see it in all nature, from the leaf on the tree to the titled lady at the ball.... [Hardy’s ellipses] It is achieved, of a sort, under superhuman difficulties

Summary

Introduction

Her “remote and distant hope” is to help her family to extricate from plight and to marry a man like Angel Clare. Tess leaves home with hope, but returns home with disillusionment This pattern repeats till the death of Tess. In July 1888, Hardy wrote in his notebook: Thought of the determination to enjoy. We see it in all nature, from the leaf on the tree to the titled lady at the ball....

From Hope to Despair

Alec’s Seduction of Tess

The Birth of Tess’s Baby

Love and Death

Conclusion