Essay about Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

The Endless Dissonance between Humanity and Nature The scientific and technological advancements of the early 20th century entered people’s daily lives with the intention of bringing the whole of humanity into a brighter, more modern era. However, the darker side of such immense achievement was the increasing encroachment on the previously untouched natural world. Many great minds grew weary of such advances and conveyed their apprehension through the popular literature of the time. The pivotal novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy explores the impact that industrialists with access to technology had on the pastoral countryside and lower classes. Conan Doyle expands on this message in his novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, by†¦show more content†¦Another example of humanity’s increasing imposition on nature is the D’Urberville mansion, that Tess describes as being, â€Å"almost new—and of the same rich red colour that formed such a contrast with the evergreens of the lodge† (Hardy). The bright colors of the house contrast with the calm surrounding landscape, providing emphasis to the intrusion that capitalist Alec D’Urberville has made upon nature. This idea foreshadows Alec’s rape of Tess, which is also symbolic of the new industrialized capitalists pillaging the natural world to make a profit. Alec abandons Tess â€Å"upon the dead leaves† in The Chase, which is â€Å"one of the few remaining woodlands in England of undoubted primeval date† (Hardy). The fact that Alec takes advantage of Tess, who is described as â€Å"a figure which is part of the landscape,† in an ancient forest emphasizes how invasive the presence of industry, which Alec embodies, was becoming in the 20th century (Hardy). The exploitation of Tess parallels the abuse that modern agricultural technology was exhibiting on the longstanding farmlands of England. Hardy portrays the Talbothays farm that Tess first works on as a, â€Å"happy green tra ct of land where summer had been liberal in her gifts (Hardy). Hardy quickly replaces this quaint image of nature withShow MoreRelatedTess of the DUrbervilles by THomas Hardy Essay718 Words   |  3 PagesTess of the DUrbervilles is a movie based on a novel by Thomas Hardy. The story involves a young girl named Tess who will be the victim, the prey, and sometimes the lover of many men. She will go through this without ever understanding what it is that those men want of her. 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