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I. 서론 5

II. 사회·경제적 억압과 Tess의 주체적 노동 12

III. 성적 억압과 Tess의 주체적 저항 23

IV. 결론 48

BIBLIOGRAPHY 51

abstract 53

초록보기

The purpose of this thesis is to study Tess's subjectivity in Tess of D'Urbervilles. Tess undergoes lots of pain in social, economic circumstances and the sexual ideology of late 19th century. However, she bears hardship, establishing her own independent life. This study focuses on how she overcomes her tragedy and her subjective life under these circumstances.

In the 19th century England, there were many extensive changes due to the influence of the Industrial Revolution. At that time, the rural society in England was under pressure because of the dominance of capitalist agriculture and the development of the manufacturing economy. Also, the rural intermediate class was in the process of collapsing. The change of the structure of this social class is a main reason that drove Tess into her tragedy. Tess has an economical burden caused by the change of class structure and her parents' incapacity. Consequently, she suffered economically from the distorted view of social life and from those around her who followed these views.

In the late Victorian age, the Purity Ideology was forced on women, based on traditional male-centered moral laws and the strict Puritan doctrines. In other words, the sexual ideology at the time describes that female sexuality is immoral and purity is demanded from woman only. the sexual ideology is another factor to repress Tess's self. However, the central object of attention in the novel is not the conventions and institutions of the times. The most important thing is the attitude of a human being that is willing to oppose the wrong rules of the society of that time.

The tragedy of Tess is with two men called Alec and Angel. Alec is a typical bourgeoisie and deprives Tess of her virginity. Angel is a progressive idealist and loves Tess, but he abandons Tess because he judges Tess impure by his double standard. Tess gets hurt from them and lives her life with difficulty. However, Tess does not yield to being ruined by the relationships with the people around her. In addition, she never gives up her life and shows her own independent life under bad situation.

Tess overcomes her tragedy through her labor. Labor is not merely simple physical work to her but it gives her peace of mind and she comes to believe in hope through this labor. Through labor Tess manages to overcome the hardest time caused by Angle's leaving, and she finds her true identity. Tess's decision is not to obey the incompatible social customs but to lead a strong subjective woman's life through labor.

Thomas Hardy describes women not as the tortured and powerless ones but as the strong-minded, passionate and self-responsible human beings who try to overcome their tragic fates and step forward to their ideal, dream, and love. Tess is one of heroines that Thomas Hardy depicts in his novels. Tess shows the strong self and independence that human should have in contradictory society in Tess of D'Urbervilles.