The Gothic World In Tess Of The D'urbervilles

Tess of the d'Urbervilles is universally acknowledged as the masterpiece of Thomas Hardy,and it marks the summit of Hardy's literary creation.Critics both at home and abroad have interpreted and commented on the works from distinct perspectives with various approaches to literary criticism.Based on the literature review on the study of Tess of the d'Urbervilles,this thesis intends to analyze the Gothic elements adopted in the novel so as to probe the effect and function of Gothic technique in heightening the aesthetical value,and intensifying the motif of the novel.The thesis consists of five parts:The first part gives a brief introduction to Thomas hardy and Tess of the d'Urbervilles, as well as a literature review on Tess of the d'Urbervilles.Then the purpose of the thesis is put forward:analyzing the Gothic elements in Tess of the d'Urbervilles,to start with;then exploring the function and effect of Gothic elements in enhancing the aesthetical significance and intensifying the motif of the novel.Chapter One is the literature review of the origin and development of Gothic literature, and its influence on English literature.Chapter Two aims to analyze the Gothic elements in Tess of the d'Urbervilles from the aspects of macabre and mysterious atmosphere and environment,typical Gothic images of a villain-hero and a virtuous and innocent heroine,Gothic plot,along with the typical Gothic subjective narrative mode.Chapter Three is meant to study the function and effect of Gothic elements on how to enhance the aesthetical value and intensify the motif in Tess of the d'Urbervilles.In conclusion,Hardy does skillfully deploy Gothic elements in his masterpiece Tess of the d'Urbervilles.However,Hardy's employment of Gothic elements in this great realistic novel doesn't mean to seek sensation;on the contrary,by means of Gothic technique, especiaslly the Gohic spirit of psychological exploration and the social concern,Hardy manages to expose the complexity and subtlety of human psychological activity,express his pessimistic and agnostic views of nature and human's destiny.What's more,Gothic elements help the novel to achieve aesthetical effect of sublime,and the aesthetical educational function of emotional catharsis and moral purgation which urge people to make continual self-recognition and introspection so as to cultivate a free,active and upward psychic power which leads to the final improvement of the holistic level of human morality and ethics.Thirdly,Gothic elements contribute a lot to intensifying the motif of the novel, namely,the evolution for refinement in which Hardy has faith,Hardy's views on females in patriarchy society and Hardy's bourgeois humanism,in detail,Hardy's dissatisfaction with the impersonal industrial society and his nostalgia of pastoral rural life,his sympathy for the lower class,and his pondering about human nature,individual responsibility and his ultimate concern of humanity.