From mommet to ugly: An analysis of the linguistic duality and idiolect of Tess Durbeyfield in the Spanish translations of Tess of the d’Urbervilles

The current study aims at critically exploring the resulting identity of Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ main character, Tess Durbeyfield, in the Spanish translations through the analysis of her linguistic variation. Throughout the novel, Tess is characterised by a unique duality in linguistic variation, which shapes her identity. She is capable of using both dialectal and non-dialectal marks, which differentiates her from the rest of the novel’s characters. To reach thus the goal of this research, that is, to verify whether Tess Durbeyfield’s multifaceted identity is maintained in the Spanish translations, it is essential to analyse the linguistic variation of the novel’s heroine in the target texts. For the project, the three Spanish translations that exist of the novel have been analysed (carried out in 1924, 1994 and 2017). In order to reach this aforementioned objective, the strategies carried out by the different translators regarding linguistic variation will be analysed, focusing on the possible identity distortion that these decisions may entail in the heroine’s characterization. In order to observe Tess Durbeyfield’s idiolect and linguistic variation, all dialogues from the novel and its corresponding translations have been analysed and classified. In the project, through selected dialogues, it will be observed whether the translation strategies regarding the heroine’s linguistic variation imply a reconfiguration of Tess’s identity in the target texts

Tess of the d’Urbervilles: Hardy’s Nonconformist Views and Challenge of the Prevailing Social and Moral Ideology

In Tess of the d’Urbervilles Hardy’s non-conformist views are evident through the dialectic of negation which opposes institutionalized codes, and rejects the stereotypical Victorian concepts of femininity. He hovers over Tess like a stricken father, and presents her as an innocent victim, yet he has not been able to save her from her pre-destined death. His endeavours to create a Utopian society and change the cultural logos in regards to sex and gender, have been hampered by various forms of repression from editors, reviews, publishers and supporters of “the purity movement”. In his attempt to avoid the trauma of rejection, he made substantial expurgations and revisions of the original text, but the tragic death at the end of the book shows that the prevailing ideology, and excessive prudishness of supporters of the league of virtue have outweighed his perceptions and defeated his liberal concepts.” His frustration, bitter experience, and the unpleasant attacks waged on him and his works, were apparently influential in making him cease writing novels.

An Ecofeminist Reading of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’urbervilles and its Movie Adaptation by Roman Polanski: A Comparative Study

Ecofeminist examination of audio-visual and textual narratives is the central concern of this article. At the core of my study is a comparative analysis of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891) and its movie adaptation by Roman Polanski (1979), with an aim to explore convergent and divergent ecofeminist imperatives. I argue that the novel highlights the intersection between the oppression of women and exploitation of nature. By contrast, the movie adopts an ambiguous stance that undermines the potential of an ethical ecofeminist critique. This is clearly reflected through scenes that represent the encounter between Alec and Tess as a pastoral romance taking place against the backdrop of nature, that ultimately serve to cast their association as the result of natural instinct rather than a crime. This reworking of the novel seems to suggest that the movie’s thrust as a whole is towards exonerating Alec, which undermines the novels’ ecofeminist overtones.

“Now All Was Contrary to Her Expectation”: Destructive Expectations in Tess of the d’Urbervilles

Up until now, scholars have not analysed the destructive role that expectations play in Tess of the d’Urbervilles. This article will therefore attend to this subject by exploring a series of relationships depicted in Thomas Hardy’s novel. To do so, this study will begin with the “fatal love” of Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare (Garson 130). Both individuals share confessions upon their wedding night that challenge the very foundations upon which their relationship was built. Having both held idealised perceptions of the other, Tess and Angel are forced to either adjust to these new parameters or see their relationship destroyed. Where Angel adopts a rigid inflexibility of conviction, Tess adapts her opinions and expectations, extending this behaviour to her relationship with Alec d’Urberville. In doing so, Tess is able to accommodate the changing and sometimes contradictory elements of the other characters’ identities. However, Tess fails to extend this courtesy to herself when presented with situations that she cannot control. Instead, Tess internalises perceptions of her behaviour that result in unjust opinions and unreasonable expectations of herself. Therefore, through critically examining these events and characters, this article will demonstrate how the perpetuation of rigid expectations can be detrimental to individuals and relationships alike.

Tess as a Kaleidoscope of Socially Constructed Images in Tess of the D'urbervilles

This study aims to examine the Victorian novel Tess of the D'urbervilles to explore the general social construction of women which prescribes images and roles for them and moulds them accordingly. The researcher selected Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, which portrays the plight of women in Victorian England. This qualitative study makes a thorough analysis of the female protagonist who is exploited by the social prescription of her identity and concludes that the female figure is no more than the kaleidoscopic images of hers drawn by others. The study applies the concept of social construction with feministic insight. It hints that women cannot attain full potential until they and society establish their existential rights as empowered and independent human beings. It points out that the resistance against the dominant patriarchal ideologies endows women with a new image and identity, and ensures the possibilities to break away from social prescription.