Attitudes to religion and the church in Tess of the D'Urbervilles

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ATTITUDES TO RELIGION AND THE CHURCH

In Tess of the D’Urbervilles:

Religion and the church are highlighted in:

Angel’s brother and Mercy Chant: they show that religion is intolerant and snobbish – often a social facade to show that one is a better person.

Angel’s father: he is a bit of a paradox because he is presented ambivalently with regard to Hardy’s attitude of the clergy. On the one hand he is shown as a brave and caring man; He suffers against verbal and physical abuse and in fact is seen to be quite passionate over his job, highlighted in his quest to convert the very unreceptive (initially, and then later) Alec. The church in parts is portrayed as something that does not want to be concerned with ‘soiled’ people and their deeds (e.g. the ‘rule’ which does not allow Tess’s child be buried in the churchyard), yet Rev. Clare is seen to mix with a wide variety of social classes. But, he also seems to be more concerned with dogma and in this way he is limited in his vision i.e. he is continually viewing the world with respect to his values and not other peoples’ which he does not understand to be as equally justifiable.

The parson who does not allow Sorrow to be buried in his churchyard: he is quoted as having ‘the natural feelings of a tradesman’ which in itself suggests that his vocation is less of a spiritual need to help people and more of a business that has little room for feeling. Although, that said, we are told that:

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        ‘the strange tenderness in her voice, combined to affect his nobler impulses… the man and the ecclesiastic fought within him’

        This implies that it is the man side of him that is more humane and caring and that in fact this side of him is ‘nobler’ than any church teaching he may take into account in his decision.

The painter (who paints religious signs on everything in sight): he shows us the narrow-mindedness of the church.

Alec:  his period as a ‘believer’ clearly reveals to us the shallowness that is evident in the church and its clergy. Alec’s failure to stay ...

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