Abstract
Thomas Hardy is an English poet and novelist who experiences the 19th and 20th century. He is called a Critical realist. He specializes in portraying images, especially the females. Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure are his representative works. Tess, a figure in the former one has been a special and fantasy woman of the 19th century in English literary history. She is a beautiful, simple, independent and strong woman. In order to support her family, she dare to sacrifice herself; and for her love, she is brave enough to resist traditional concept. It is this kind of spirit that finally leads her to death. In the eyes of Hardy, Tess is "a pure woman". However, such a pure woman finally becomes victims of prejudice of public opinion. Besides the factor of her own characters, I think the Male Chauvinism that is deeply rooted in the ideological and ethical system at that time is a significant factor that results in Tess's tragedy. Even when the gender equality has got improved significantly today, the residual Male Chauvinism against women still lingers in the new era.
Key words: Tess; Male Chauvinism; Tragedy
Content
Abstract 3
Content 4
I. Introduction 5
II. Male Chauvinism 7
2.1 Origin of Male Chauvinism 7
2.2 Key Features of Male Chauvinism 8
III. Manifestation and Causes of Male Chauvinism 9
3.1 Manifestation of Male Chauvinism in Literature 9
3.1.1 Manifestation of Male Chauvinism of John Durbeyfield 9
3.1.2 Manifestation of Male Chauvinism of Alec D'Urbervilles 9
3.1.3 Manifestation of Male Chauvinism of Angle Clare 10
3.2 Manifestation of Male Chauvinism in Language 10
3.3 Causes of Male Chauvinism 11
3.3.1 Social Factor 11
3.3.2 Religious Factor 12
3.4 Women's Status in the Society of Male Chauvinism 12
3.4.1 Similar Fate of Women in Other Literary Works 12
3.4.2 Women's Status in Victoria Times 13
3.4.3 Women's Status in Present Society 14
IV. Conclusion 15
V. Bibliography 16
Acknowledgement 17
