Astudy Of Tess Of The D'urbervilles From The Perspective Of Ecofeminism

Ecofeminism theory originates from feminism and ecocriticism, which believes that there is a powerful affinity between nature and women. On account of the patriarchal society's domination of the nature and the oppression of women, both of the nature and women are victims. Ecofeminist calls upon the reconstruction of the harmonious society with the principles of ecology and feminism, where nature can break away from depredation and women can get complete liberation. Based on such understanding, ecofeminist criticism highlights the association between nature and women in literary works and advocates a feminist writing of nature.Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) is a well-known English realistic writer, who holds an important position in the history of English literature. Hardy's novels of"Character and Environment"are famous worldwide and his masterpiece Tess of the d'Urbervilles is considered as the greatest one. Hardy focuses on nature and women in his works and gets inspirations from them. He supposes that nature and women are closely linked,nature is the home where women live, women are the embodiment of nature, their fates are complementary.Employing the literary theory of ecofeminism, the author analyzes the relationships between nature and women in Tess of the d'Urbervilles. This thesis evaluates nature and women from the perspective of ecofeminism, especially explores the intimate connection between Tess and nature, the incompatibility with civilized society, as well as Tess's tragic fate, which will help the reader to understand Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles from a new angle. What's more, readers can not only profoundly perceive the fact that civilization is built up at the violation of ecological equilibrium and natural beauty, but also realize the significance of being in compatible with nature.