Tess of D’ubervellies: Societal and Parental Role in the Subjugation of Womanhood

This article examines and explores Thomas Hardy's portrayal of women in his novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. It gives a brief overview of the era in which Hardy was writing, focusing on the psycho-sexual complexities of the late Victorian era and their impact on women's characterization. The paper also examines Hardy's attitudes toward women and how these attitudes influenced his portrayal of female characters. The picture of vigorous Womanhood and victim forces beyond control is portrayed in Tess, the heroine. The novel depicts a very realistic picture of the fears, cognitive processes, and sufferings of a lady whose life is subjugated. Women are portrayed as sensuous and weak. Hardy depicts women who are influenced by their surroundings and hereditary factors. Due to their humanity, suffering is unavoidable, and guilt is compassion.