The Analysis of Angel Clare’s Role in Tess’ Tragedy
Abstract
: Tess of the D’Urbervilles is one of the greatest works of Thomas Hardy. This paper focuses on the two major characters and tries to prove whether Angel Clare is a real angel or a devil by analysing Angel Clare’s role in Tess’ tragedy. Firstly, the paper makes an introduction to the author Thomas Harday and his novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Based on Freud’s psychoanalysis theory (personality system theory and psychological structure theory), the paper starts from five aspects to demonstrate that Angel Clare’s love to Tess can not withstand the test of reality. However, his dramatic role of the “Prodigal Son” finally pushes Tess to death. The conclusion is made that Clare is not an angel who is ideological and progressive, and who pursues ideal and guards love, but a devil who is conservative, petty and falsely selfish.
Key words: Angel Clare; Tess; Angel; Devil
Contents
Abstract 1
【摘要】 1
Contents 1
1. Introduction 2
2． About the Author and the Novel 3
2.1 Thomas Hardy 3
2.2 Tess of the D’Urbervilles 3
3. Angel Clare’s Role in Tess’ Tragedy 4
3.1 Angelic Pursuit or Devilish Vanity 4
3.2 Angelic Protection or Devilish Restriction 6
3.3 Angelic Idealization or Devilish Selfishness 7
3.4 Angelic Testing or Devilish Torment 9
3.5 Angelic Return or Devilish Summon 11
4. Conclusion 12
References: 13
Acknowledgements 15
