Comparative Study - Jane Eyre and Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

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Tessa Rowe 13SK

Comparative Study – Jane Eyre and Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Comparison of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Tess of the D'Urbervilles’ and ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Brontë is possible as both authors were writing in the same time period; therefore both books contain certain aspects attributed to one genre: the Victorian Novel. However its is also important to realise the differences between the books as well as the similarities; the diversities are what give each novel its individuality and make it distinct from other books by the same author or included in the same genre.

The first chapter of a novel is always vital as it is essential in capturing the reader and enticing them to read on. In addition, the opening section plays a part in setting the tone of the novel; it is the reader’s first experience of the characters, location, background and author’s style. For this reason the first chapter is paramount in alluring the reader to continue with the story. A view often assimilated with the Victorian Novel genre is that of fatalism; in both books being considered it is used to further the plot. Hardy was known for his fatalistic outlook on life; this becomes apparent through Tess’s own fate – undelivered letters, misunderstanding and a string of unfortunate coincidences all lead to her tragic end. Each situation is a catalyst for the next, with Tess becoming a victim of cruel fate: ‘Tess had never before known a time in which the thread of her life was so distinctly twisted of two strands, positive pleasure and positive pain’. 

This theme of coincidence and idea of fate; that there is a greater power over humans that cannot be controlled, is echoed in ‘Jane Eyre’. Jane is subject to ill-fated situations through no fault of her own. From the very beginning of the novel the reader discovers Jane’s unfortunate circumstance of being orphaned, and having no choice but to live with her ‘hard-hearted’ aunt and vindictive cousins. They torture her, referring to her as and ‘animal’ and a ‘madcat’. Subsequently her living situations change, only for Jane to endure more harsh conditions at Lowood school: ‘we had scarcely sufficient to keep alive a delicate invalid’. Jane addresses the reader, clearly intoning that she is aware of this higher power ‘fate has out-manoeuvred me’ yet later on rebuking it ‘God has given us, in a measure, the power to make our own fate’. This contrast highlights for both the characters and the reader the unpredictability and unsure feelings associated with fate.

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In the first chapter of both novels the reader sees how social status affects the way in which an individual is treated: Jane is thought of as a lesser being not worthy of treatment as a human: ‘-bad animal!’  This is emphasised through the use of the animal insults, and because the reader sees them entirely from Jane’s point of view, it is hard to see any good in the Reeds. For Tess, her believed change in status is just one of the many aforementioned incidents which lead to her fate. Her family’s intent belief that they are descendents ...

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