Hardy’s Philosophy

A philosophical study of Hardy’s key purpose in portraying the world the way he did on the novel Jude the Obscure

“When it comes to Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure, society’s criticism of the overt sexuality found within work stands as a façade to mask the denial of the different philosophical perspectives which permeate his work”

Key Concepts-“Since the story denied the general structure of what was deemed to be normal within a novel of the Victorian Era, many were shocked by the work’s deviation in both content and ending.”

-“Hardy’s novel failed to meet the positive outlook of the public eye, since his book was so contrived on revealing the more realistic side of life, marriage, and the failure to meet one’s goals”

-- “As the world view began to shift due to some of the major Transcendentalist, Existentialist and Darwinist views which mirrored this ideas of an ambiguous future, it appears only clear that a work encompassing such critical perspectives would be given the same denial as was given by critics of such movements as well.”

Some of the main forms of Criticism found about the Story Include:

A. Problem of marriage out of wedlock

B. Overt Sexuality

C. Negative view of marriage & other religious institutions

-All of these however are superficial, as their existence served as tools in the novel to acquire deeper meaning.

Different Philosophies found in the text:

(not even on their death bed are they ever quiet)

Arrrghhh why wont you die already?!

Ahhhh can’t take this much longerrr!!!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Some of the Major Philosophies found throughout the text Include:

-Erosion of Creationism (Bacon’s The Advancement of Learning) [1605]- Rise of Darwinism (Darwin’s Origin of Species) [1859]- Rise of empiricism & measurable science (Locke’s Theory of Knowledge) [1700’s]- The Relative world (Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason) [1781]- Denial of institutionalized religion (Voltaire’s Poème sur la Désastre de Lisbonne) [1756]- Elimination of desire (Schopenhauer’s “Essay on the Freedom of the Will”) [1839]

1895

“Jude’s unwillingness to conform to the position bequeathed him by his birth [what] ultimately destroys his spirit, as it is crushed beneath the weight of oppressive tradition” ~ Dr. Sebastian Mahfood

NATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Look at it. It’s SOOOOOO Prettyyyy!)

Growing importance to nature and the general environment brought about the movements of Social Darwinism, Empiricism, Survival of the Fittest, and ultimately Skepticism. All of which are key features found in Hardy’s novel.

ConclusionEven though the novel was so harshly received and criticized, it revolutionized literature as we know it by switching the perspective of the Victorian perspective into a more realist and actual view. This incredible shift however would not have been able to be made if it wasn’t for the different encompassing philosophies which Hardy embodied within his work, and as I’ve explained. It is therefore, crucial to keep in mind these perspectives when thinking about this novel because they truly help to better understand the author’s purpose besides the shallow ideas of Hardy’s perversion.

By understanding the different perspectives found within the work, one is able to better understand the purpose of it in a cleared way, as it stood to criticize the current structures that were part of the period.

-If I can get you guys to see that much, hopefully I’ve done my job somewhat well : )

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!