Feminist Critique of Tess of the DUrbervilles :: Essays Papers

Feminist Critique Tess of the DUrbervilles Tess of the DUrbervilles November 19, 1999 Ellen Rooney presents us with a feminist perspective which addresses a few differentiate conflicts in the story, offering qualification if not answers. Essentially, Rooney argues that dauntless is unable to arrange the meaning of the encounter in The Chase from Tesss point of check because to present Tess as a speaking subject is to risk the supposition that she may appear as the subject of desire. Yet a think with no potential as a desiring subject can all formally be said to refuse desireHardy is occlude in both directions. (466) According to Rooney, we do not hear from Tess in this instance, for if we were to, it would only reinforce the notion of Tess the seductress. Yet, in various versions, Tess is presented as a seductress. Even by her nature as a beautiful women, Hardy presents the reader mixed messages should we see her as a willing seductress, or as a victim who must suffer because of her bodys effects on others? Rooney argues that Hardy never comes to a conclusion on this issue, but enables Tess to give over her body, utterly silenced and purified, not by Hardys failure to see that she might speak, but by his unflinching description of the inexorable forces that produce her as the seductive bearing of the discourses of man (481). Rooney writes a capable piece of gender criticism, in that it is be as how women have been written. Gender issues seem permeate the story and the author doesnt take a definitive stand on them. Rooney attempts to project what role Tess plays in the story, how her interactions with Alec and Angel Clare form her identity, and how she triumphs over her afflictions. Ironically, her biggest affliction is her inwrought beauty its something men simply cannot pass up, and just by her looks, she becomes seductive.Rooney brings this point up, but much to her credit, does not unleash an attack on Hardy or men because of it. Often feminist critics bear the essence that they are out to get men, yet when there is an apt sway for doing so in Tess, Rooney refrains and simply addresses the issues. Overall, her article was quite helpful in addressing the most resonate conflict in the whole story.