Abstract: Tess of the D’urbervilles was considered to be one of the greatest works of Hardy. People held different ideas about why Hardy wrote this book. Some said it was because Hardy was affected by the fatalism, and some said he was affected by the Bible. Which idea was right? This essay analyzed some chapters in Tess of the D’urbervilles and pointed out there was the element of Biblical characters, the element of Biblical scene and the element of Biblical symbols and associations in this book. This essay studied Hardy and his book Tess, giving readers much help in learning Hardy and his many works. The aim in this dissertation is to make people understand there were lots of Biblical elements in Tess of the D’urbervilles; Hardy wrote this book mainly because he was affected by the Bible.
Key Words: Hardy;Tess of the D’urbervilles;Tess;Biblical element.
Introduction 1
1. The Biblical Element in 19th Century 1
2. Hardy’s Christianity 2
3. The Element of Biblical Characters 2
3.1 Angel 2
3.2 Satan 3
3.3 Sacrifice, Job and Christ 5
3.4 Leah And Rachel 7
4. The Element of Biblical Scene 8
4.1 The Scene of Paradise 8
4.2 The Scene of Eden 8
4.3 The Scene of Altar 9
5. The Element of Biblical Symbols and Associations 10
5.1 The River of the Water Of Life 10
5.2 The Red Color 11
5.3 The Harp 12
5.4 The Cross 14
6. Conclusion 14
Bibliography 18