By: Audrey T
I think that fate is a really interesting concept that appears in Tess. To me, fate is Hardy's answer to the question "Why, if God is just, would he allow the good to suffer?" It must be that everyone has a set plan that they are destined to follow no matter how good or bad they are. So does this mean that nothing can change one's fate and that there is a plan for everyone set from birth? Or is it that a person comes upon a coincidence in life that leads to another and another, ultimately leading them to a fate they cannot avoid? Tess is extremely good and moral -- almost to the point of sainthood -- yet God still allows her to endure a terrible and unfair life. Hardy even asks, "...where was Tess's guardian angel?" on the night that she was raped by Alec. It seems as if Hardy is trying to draw attention to the fact that people put too much faith in God to control all situations and change them for the better, when, in fact, he is standing by letting bad things happen to people all the time. Throughout the novel Tess can never seem to catch a break. She continues to move on with her life after she is raped and after her baby dies, and even when amazing opportunities are presented to her, like when Angel proposes to her, she sticks to her morals and turns him down; sure that her past has ruined her. It is Tess's persistent faith and strength that causes her to transform from a mere girl into something holier. If Tess's struggles are what make her so holy, then is it God's neglect in her time of need that has made her this way? Maybe God is allowing people to suffer so that they can grow and transcend the harsh realities of the world and not simply that fate dictates one's life.
I agree! You summed basically summed up destiny. Tess gets tested and tested time after time without a moment where she truly is happy. But at the end she gets "peace". If two comment pop up I don't what happened; it wouldn't let me comment the first time. :)
ReplyDeleteEven though I did not read Tess, I understand the gist of the plot. If one looks at today's society, it is obvious that innocent people perish all the time. Surly none of them deserve it, but they fall victim to misfortunes from gun shootings to food chokings. It is almost like a "wrong place, wrong time" idea. You mention that the author of Tess is trying to illustrate that people should not put too much faith in God. Tons of people take advantage of their personal religious dieties (usually called "praying"). The Sunni Muslim Extremists of Al Queda have this idea that in the name of God they can kill others! This influence of a "higher being" can make people crazy. Ironically, one can argue that even with the sucide bombers inhumane actions, they find peace in their death. I would not mind 72 virgins.... just kidding. (Islam joke, hopefully I don't offend anyone).
ReplyDeleteOh and the first comment is me, Pavneet. I forget to put my name
ReplyDeleteYou brought up a good point about predestination. At times it does seem as if humans have absolutely no control over the events or circumstances occurring in their lives and God is in complete control over everything. I feel these types of situations present the involved individuals with the opportunity learn and grow. These obstacles require great amounts of maturity and strength to overcome. God challenges people in interesting ways and the true character of a person is revealed by how the person handles the situation and form what is gained.
ReplyDeleteDane Johnson
Audrey, I like that you connected Tess's situation to fate and predestination. I think that through the novel Hardy is questioning how people are able to put so much faith in God, especially considering the time period in which it was written. Many people use religion as an excuse as for why bad things happen to good people, but others also use it as an answer that allows them to grow as a person. Either way, people are continually tested whether they deserve it or not, and Tess certainly didn't, but I think when we try to rationalize why things are happening to us, whether we think it is because of God, fate, or something else, we can find peace and overcome the obstacles we face.
ReplyDelete-Elise P.
Audrey,
ReplyDeleteI definitely thought of fate as I read the book too. It's interesting that Hardy uses that as a main theme throughout the novel considering the period's emphasis on religion. Tess certainly didn't deserve anything that happened, and I agree that it may have been God or a supernatural's test. It makes me question how he goes about selecting those to test and in what manner.
-Emily T.
Even though I didn't read Tess, I feel that the same questions of God seem to present themselves in Jane Eyre as well--just in different ways. Jane grows up in a world where she is treated unfairly despite her innocence. It made me question whether or not she truly deserved it, and if her life was simply meant for disaster. However, the happier ending of the story made me believe that Jane was in charge of her own fate all along, so perhaps Tess was as well.
ReplyDelete- Geena C.
Fate does play a huge role in the storyline of this novel. Tess, being a believer in Christ and a moral figure, obviously believes that what has happened to her has happened for a reason. Whether or not what happens to her is God's will is unknown. Can we even call God's will fate, or is fate something determined by some other force? God's will (or fate, whichever you choose) can never be understood by humans. Bad things happen to good people all the time, and Tess is no exception as she falls victim to it time after time. This conflict between fate and God's will defines the novel and the time period it is set in, as Tess and those around her struggle with the fact that they believe in this good and holy God but yet they suffer.
ReplyDelete-Dayna