Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department/Program

English

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Monika Elbert

Committee Member

Jonathan Greenberg

Committee Member

Adam Rzepka

Abstract

In Thomas Hardy's literary landscape, the female protagonists Bathsheba Everdene and Sue Bridehead emerge as complex figures who challenge and navigate the rigid social norms of Victorian society. Through their journeys in Far from the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure, respectively, Hardy explores the themes of independence, conformity, and the impact of societal pressures on individual agency.

Bathsheba Everdene, in Far from the Madding Crowd, initially stands as a symbol of independence, defying the conventional gender roles expected of Victorian women. However, her trajectory reveals the nuanced ways in which societal expectations shape her choices, ultimately leading her to conform to patriarchal demands. Bathsheba's transformation serves as an exploration of the tensions between individual autonomy and societal conformity.

Similarly, Sue Bridehead in Jude the Obscure embodies the spirit of the "New Woman," rejecting traditional notions of femininity and marriage. Yet, even Sue finds herself grappling with societal pressures, and in particular in her relationship with Phillotson. Hardy's portrayal of Sue's struggles demonstrates the complex relationship between personal desires and societal expectations in shaping women's lives. These expectations include being a maternal figure, submissive to their husbands, and gender roles.

With these two characters, Hardy critically examines the impact of marriage and property rights on the lives of women in Victorian society. Their narratives shed light on the evolving attitudes towards gender roles and marriage during this period, highlighting the constraints and complexities faced by independent-minded women seeking to carve out their own paths in a world bound by rigid social norms.

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