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The two novels, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Tess of the dUrbervilles have many similarities. Thomas Hardy wrote both of the novels in the late 1800 s, placing the story lines in similar settings, his imaginary land of Wessex. The two main characters in these books, Tess, in Tess of the dUrbervilles and Michael, in The Mayor of Casterbridge, also share something else in common, that also contrasts at the same time. Tess and Michael both live a poor life at the beginning of the novel and experience a fall and then encounter a rise during the middle chapters; then they fall again towards the end, but Michaels rise and falls are because of his own actions, where as Tess are because of the actions of other people around her. Both Tess Durbeyfield and Michael Henchard, the two main characters of these novels, are introduced as regular poor folk, living in Wessex. As both novels progress, important events occur to make these characters fall even lower than they already are.
The difference is who is actually responsible for the character changes. In Tess of the dUrbervilles, Tess rise and falls are caused by the actions of others around her. At the beginning of the novel, Tess lives with her father, John, her mother, Joan, and her younger brothers and sisters in a small shack like cottage. Tess family is not very wealthy, but in the first chapter, John finds out from Parson Trigham of their unsuspected noble ancestry, the dUrbervilles. This is the spark that lights the flame to Tess first fall. Upon hearing this great news John goes to Rollivers Inn to celebrate and prepare for his journey the next morning.
This does not affect Tess yet, until John is unable to wake up the next morning, so she takes responsibility for his journey to the market. On her way her carriage crashes with another and their horse, Prince, dies. Tess feels accountable for Princes death although it was actually her fathers irresponsibility for drinking too much the night before. It was a relief to her tongue to find from the faces of her parents that they already knew of their loss, though this did not lessen the self-reproach which she continued to heap upon herself for her negligence Nobody blamed Tess as she blamed herself. Tess (page 28) Now that the Durbeyfield family was in desperate need of help because of the death of Prince, Tess feels responsible and pressured by her mother and father to seek support from their wealthy ancestors. Well as I killed the horse, mother, I suppose I ought to do something.
I dont mind going and seeing her, but you must leave it to me about asking for help. Tess (page 30) Tess goes to Tantridge to seek help from her ancestors, the dUrbervilles. While visiting Tantridge, Tess meets Alec and over time he rapes her. This causes Tess to go home immediately where she gives birth to Alec's baby.
The baby dies and Tess spends the remainder of the winter mourning at home. To forget her past, Tess leaves Marriott in hopes of starting a new life at Talbothys as a dairymaid. All the main events thus far in the novel have affected Tess life dramatically. First, she feels responsible for Princes death when really it is Johns fault, and the pressure her mother puts on her to accept the work at Tantridge puts her right into the arms of the evil Alec dUrberville. Well, theres your chance, whether or no; and Im sure he wears a beautiful diamond ring! Joan (page 41).
Alec is another person that helps Tess downfall; he rapes her causing her to return home a failure, by giving up work, and he is also the cause of her pregnancy. Although the babys death was not directly his fault, when it dies, Tess was emotionally and physically unable to work anywhere, that is why she spent the winter at home before leaving the next spring. However, Michael, in The Mayor of Casterbridge, is completely responsible for his first fall. As Michael, his wife, Susan, and daughter, Elizabeth-Jane, are at the fair, Michael ends up drinking too much and selling his wife and daughter to a sailor named Newson. Michael wakes up the next morning feeling regret for his actions the past night. Yet she knows I am not in my senses when I do that!
Well, I must walk till I find her Seize her, why didnt I know better than to bring me into this disgrace! Michael (page 12) He decides to look for Susan and Elizabeth-Jane, but after months and months of searching, and they are nowhere to be found, he finally gives up and heads to live in the town of Casterbridge. This event is clearly Michaels own fault. He is responsible for consuming the amount of alcohol that he did, and his actions while under the influence. Even though selling your wife and children was something you did long before this time, Susan was not at fault for not trying to stop it because Michael had tried it before. Michael, you have talked this nonsense in public places before.
A joke is a joke, but you may make it once too often, mind! Susan (page 6) Both characters, Tess and Micheal, experienced a fall already in the novels. With much of the book to go and the low state they are both in, one would think that it couldnt get any worse. As the novels continue, things begin to clear up for both Tess and Michael. Tess starts a new life a Talbothys as a dairymaid where she meets Angel and they fall in love. However Angel does not know of Tess past and loves her for the pure, innocent person he thinks she is.
When Angel asks Tess to marry him, Tess has trouble deciding whether she wants to tell him of her past or not. Tess believes that she should tell Angel before they marry, but when she tries and Angel does not receive Tess confession letter, the wedding is to proceed as planned. Tess didnt want to marry Angel without telling him the truth, but she was persuaded by her mother not to reveal her secret. But with respect to your question, Tess, J say between ourselves, quite private but very strong, that on no account do you say a...
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Research essay sample on Tess Of The Durbervilles Vs Mayor
