《无名的裘德》中的象征
Author: Li Xinde
Supervisor: Prof. Huang Jianren
ABSTRACT
As a literary technique, symbolism in English literature has a great tradition,
and it plays an important role in Hardy's Jude the Obscure. The author in this
thesis attempts to analyze Jude the Obscure by applying Frye's archetypal theory.
The paper mainly focuses on Hardy's use of symbolism, which includes biblical
archetypes and the theme of the quest implied by the context. In this way, the
author finds something new in the understanding of the novel. As in Hardy's
other novels, symbolism in Jude the Obscure tends to be taken from nature and
religion.
The various symbols from nature intensifies the cruelty of natural laws, and
they foreshadow the fate of the main characters. Surely, Hardy was bitterly
aware of them. Symbolism from nature can be discussed from the following levels.
As far as symbols of animals are concerned, Hardy connects his characters with
various animal images. When it comes to symbols of colors, what Hardy unfolds
before us is a bleak world. Part of the poetic force in this novel is carried
by Hardy's symbols of color. In terms of weather, such as fog, mists, wind,
and rain, are important in reflecting the emotional conflicts of Jude the Obscure.
Likewise, Hardy's skilled use of symbols of places is of significance. Equally,
the well at Marygreen, roses at the agricultural show, the rebuilt church and
so on have their symbolic meanings; Jude's burning of his theological books,
Sue's burning of the nightgown are also symbolic. Thus, these images from nature
and those symbolic actions anticipate the main themes of the novel, which relates
to marriage as a result of sexual seduction and darkness of the church over
the human bondage. In addition, symbolism from nature is one of Hardy's chief
means of showing the unity of man and his natural environment.
Moving from natural level, we find ourselves involved in the immense web of
Christian symbolism that is one of the most extraordinary and striking elements
in the novel. The author in this thesis just focuses on biblical archetypes.
In this way, the author wants to evaluate Hardy's attitude towards education,
marriage, and Christianity. There are four main characters in Jude: Jude, Arabella,
Sue and Phillotson. Each is associated with one or several biblical archetypal
characters. In the case of Jude, Hardy uses 7 major and minor biblical archetypes.
Hardy emphasizes Jude's plight by repeating an image connecting Jude with the
same familiar figures. In three instances Jude is aligned with the biblical
hero Samson, and Arabella with Delilah. All three references connect him with
Arabella identify his weakness for women and alcohol, which predicts his downfall.
The symbol of Job is an appropriate one to Jude: he suffers much, and defies
his fate. A third series of images makes Jude a Christ-like figure. Hardy alludes
Jude to Christ 11 times directly. Besides, Jude is a fallen Jude in the New
Testament, a Moses who never reaches the Promised Land, a Paul among jeering
disciples, a Joseph who has been dreaming and a Stephen who was stoned to death
by Jewish nationalists. Sue, too, has biblical and Christian associations. She
is "the Ishmaelite" who is rebellious and fights against others; she
is also described as a fallen Eve and a Christ-like figure as she sacrifices
herself at the foot of the Cross. When it comes to Arabella, Hardy associates
her with Delilah who ensnares and defeats her Samson . Jude calls her the Whore
of Babylon; though the reader may not agree, the allusions imply that Hardy
does. As for Phillotson, Hardy connects him with Christ twice. Christ is the
supremely suffering person, the archetype of all suffering men and women. Hardy
describes a polyploid Christ
