During the renaissance writers such as Shakespeare introduced a new kind of heroine, one who stood up for what she believed in and had a new kind of strength and determination to fight for her happiness. Many of Shakespeare’s female characters conform to this archetype, including Imogen from ‘Cymbeliene’ and perhaps his most famous heroine, Juliet of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’
The next most significant era for women in literature were the 18th and 19th centuries, these brought, along with the acceptance of female writers, a more radical type of heroine. She is plain in appearance and of much lower social and economical fortune than her precursors. Much like her Shakespearian equivalent, she is beset by a series of misfortunes yet remains determined to win her happiness and displays strong passion and emotion. These passionate heroines possessed personal traits which had previously been primarily associated with male characters. These heroines, such as Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jayne Eyre’, Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women’ (in particularly the character of Jo) and also Thomas Hardy’s ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ were much more easily related to by their contemporary audiences as they were much more realistic and not of the idealistic extremely beautiful and noble stereotype. Female characters were slowly beginning to gain freedom, power, and control of their own fate, however by the end of the 19th century, there were still no female characters whose main purpose in life was to marry well and produce a family.
The literary heroine continues to develop and change along with the changing views of society as well as the ever-changing role of the female within it.
In the late 16th Century, and similarly up to the late 19th century the role of women was much more inequitable than in modern society; men had the power, opportunities and influence within society. Women did not have equal rights and were seen as possessions of the men. Just as a girl’s parents controlled her decisions and life, once she became a woman and was married, her husband controlled her. Husbands had expectations of their wife as much as parents had of their daughter; wives were expected to behave accordingly, obeying their husbands. Their role as a wife would be to comply with their husband’s decisions and bear him a family. At these times, women knew no other way of life, and so generally women complied with the traditions. This social model applies to both Tess and Juliet within their respective situations; Tess’ parents pushed her to seek a good marriage. Although they were aware that she detested Alec D’Urberville, they still encouraged the idea of marriage between the two. Quote. Similarly, Juliet’s parents encouraged a loveless marriage between her and the County Paris. Quote. In both texts, the parents’ desires were fuelled by social advance rather than the happiness and welfare of their daughters.
Although the 16th and 19th century societies were relatively similar in their views and treatment of women, there are significant differences in the way literary representations of women were received. By the late 19th century, women writers were much more acceptable than in Shakespeare’s time, when there were virtually no female writers. Though both Shakespeare and Hardy are male writers, presenting the female point of view, Shakespeare’s position was much more restricted. The playwright had to keep his characters conservative and primarily acceptable to the upper classes and royalty inevitably present in his audiences. By the 19th century, the female voice was strongly established within literature, with successful female writers such as the Brontë sisters and Louisa May Alcott.
To be described as ‘tragic heroines’, in one sense, is correct. Both Juliet and Tess die for their love and personal beliefs. However, ‘The Dictionary of Literary Terms’ says;
‘The tragic hero will most effectively evoke our pity and terror if (s)he is neither thoroughly good nor thoroughly evil but a mixture of both.’
Although our heroines are not perfect, their imperfections lie in their rejection of the rules and standards of their respective societies and families, not explicitly within themselves and their motives. So therefore, the fault or ‘evil’ lies with the amoral societies in which they lived.
One of the main similarities between our two heroines is the overwhelming and all-important demand placed upon them by their families. For their families, both Tess and Juliet’s main objective is to succeed through marriage. Both families intend for their daughters to improve their social status through their respective marriages. The Capulets’ aspiration for Juliet is to marry the noble County Paris (a kinsman of the Prince.) Quote. The Derbyfields, upon falling on to hard financial times, wish for Tess to go to seek their wealthy relatives in order for her to be married. Later, as she is being pursued by the seemingly charming Alec D’Urberville, although she is clearly opposed to his affections, her family maintain their ambition of marriage between the two. Quote. Both parental parties seem to regard marriage as a financial attachment, both for them and their daughters, rather than an ideal emotional partnership. This was generally regarded by both societies concerned, to be a good basis and ethical motive for marriage. However, Tess and Juliet, being radical and headstrong heroines, have contrary ideas and go against their families’ wishes. Quotes.
Further pressure is placed upon our heroines by society. The late 16th century, which received the character of Juliet, was one which condemned women in power. Although Elizabeth I was on the throne, outside royalty women had few rights or civil liberties. As women, Tess and Juliet were definitely placed at a disadvantage in the male dominated 16th and 19th centuries, their roles were simply to become wives and mothers. Tess especially, being of a low social class was seen as a particularly rebellious character.
Additional similarities between these heroines lie in their romantic affairs. Both were obligated to marry men whom they found unsuitable and ultimately did not love. Similarly, they found happiness with men whom both their families and societies considered unsuitable. Even though Tess is raped and violated by Alec D’Urberville, she is still obligated to marry him as he is the father of her child and through no fault of her own, she is now seen as ‘impure’ and tainted.
In both ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Tess of The D’Urbervilles’, the relationship between the heroine and her true lover (Angel Clare/ Romeo Montague) is seen an immoral, iniquitous one by both society and their respective families. Romeo and Juliet are from feuding families who each cannot condone the association with the other, whereas with Angel Clare and Tess, the predicament lies in their unmatched social status and Tess’ past. At the times these texts were written, these were genuine social concerns and would exist in real lives. Both couples are truly ‘star-crossed lovers’. Both Romeo and Juliet die for their forbidden love, as does Tess. Although Angel Clare does not die by the end of the novel, he is left with regret and a broken heart.
Tess and Juliet’s status as tragic heroines is reinforced by the sacrifices they make for others. Tess
Main similarities between the two heroines,
- Star-crossed lovers make their own rules. Although they both fall for apparently the wrong people, (not the one who she had sex with, and the one from the wrong family- not the prince)
- Sacrifice their own happiness for other people
- Not appreciated by society.
Main differences between the two heroines,
1. Juliet is rich, like Shakespeare? Tess is poor, like Hardy.
Purpose and meaning of characters- social novel- acts as a general criticism of society and its attitude to these women.
Other characters’ learning from the tragic heroines highlights the message and purpose intended… (Angel Clare and the Montagues and Capulets)
When Tess was published it received mixed criticism- challenged many accepted Victorian assumptions about society, sexual morality, and religion. Sold well as it was subject of scandal. Shakespeare also challenged the moral assumptions of his society but not to as great a degree. Commissioned by/ shown to royalty? - risky? Why did Shakespeare write ‘Romeo and Juliet’?
Social novels, social commentary/ comment.
Writers trying to communicate their social views through drama and the publication of a serial in a magazine.
Tess is a metaphor for all of nature and through her, Hardy protests the take over of technology and the disappearance of country traditions. Hardy’s strong preference for the natural values of the country over urban life, and for the peasant class over the middle classes.
Intro- general point of the book
Introduce similarities and differences
Detail of points
Form, lang, genre, structure
Conclusion
