Comparative Themes

Injustice and Social Criticism

Overview

Both novels critique societal structures and highlight the injustices faced by individuals. "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" critiques the rigid class system and the moral hypocrisy of Victorian society, while "Mrs Dalloway" critiques post-war conservatism and the traditional values of the British upper class.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Key Plot Points

• Tess's Ancestry Revelation: Parson Tringham reveals to John Durbeyfield that the Durbeyfields are descended from the noble d'Urberville family, which sets off the events of the novel.
• Tess's Rape by Alec: Alec d'Urberville takes advantage of Tess, leading to her societal condemnation and personal downfall.
• Angel's Rejection of Tess: Angel Clare rejects Tess upon learning of her past, highlighting the double standards of Victorian morality.
• Tess's Imprisonment and Execution: Tess is executed for the murder of Alec, emphasizing the harshness of societal judgment and fate.

Key Characters

• Tess Durbeyfield: The protagonist, whose life is marked by suffering and injustice due to societal and moral hypocrisies.
• Alec d'Urberville: The antagonist, whose actions lead to Tess's downfall.
• Angel Clare: Tess's love interest, who ultimately rejects her due to societal pressures.
• John Durbeyfield: Tess's father, whose discovery of their noble lineage sets the plot in motion.

Key Quotations

"Justice" was done, and the President of the Immortals, in Aeschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess.

• This quote underscores the cruel fate that Tess endures, highlighting the theme of cosmic and societal injustice.

"I don't want to marry. I only want to love you."

• This reflects Tess's desire for genuine connection and love, which is thwarted by societal norms and expectations.

"Angel!—I shall not die! I have finished the outward part of my work, and the rest is in Heaven."

• Tess's acceptance of her fate and her hope for divine justice contrasts with the societal injustice she faces.

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Key Plot Points

• Clarissa's Party Preparations: Clarissa Dalloway prepares for her party, reflecting on her past and societal roles.
• Septimus's Struggle with PTSD: Septimus Warren Smith, a war veteran, struggles with the lack of understanding and support for his mental health issues.
• Clarissa's Reflections on Society: Clarissa reflects on the changes and continuities in British society post-World War I.
• Septimus's Suicide: Septimus's tragic end highlights the failures of societal and medical institutions to address the needs of war veterans.

Key Characters

• Clarissa Dalloway: The protagonist, whose reflections and interactions provide insight into post-war British society.
• Septimus Warren Smith: A war veteran suffering from PTSD, whose experiences critique societal and institutional failures.
• Peter Walsh: Clarissa's former lover, who represents the changing social and political landscape.
• Sally Seton: Clarissa's friend, who embodies the potential for change and liberation from societal norms.

Key Quotations

"For having lived in Westminster – how many years now? over twenty, – one feels even in the midst of the traffic, or waking at night, Clarissa was positive, a particular hush, or solemnity; an indescribable pause; a suspense (but that might be her heart, affected, they said, by influenza) before Big Ben strikes. There! Out it boomed. First a warning, musical; then the hour, irrevocable. The leaden circles dissolved in the air."

• This quote emphasizes the relentless passage of time and the societal changes that Clarissa contemplates.

"The perfect hostess he called her (she had cried over it in her bedroom), she had the makings of the perfect hostess, he said."

• This reflects Clarissa's internal conflict between societal expectations and her desires.

"But every one remembered; what she loved was this, here, now, in front of her; the fat lady in the cab. Did it matter then, she asked herself, walking towards Bond Street, did it matter that she must inevitably cease completely; all this must go on without her; did she resent it; or did it not become consoling to believe that death ended absolutely?"

• This highlights Clarissa's existential reflections on life, death, and societal roles.

Fate and Time

Overview

Both texts explore the impact of fate and the passage of time on individuals' lives. In "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," Tess's tragic fate is influenced by her societal circumstances and the injustices she faces. "Mrs Dalloway" emphasizes the fluidity of time through the use of a stream of consciousness, with Big Ben symbolizing the relentless passage of time.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Key Plot Points

• Tess's Early Misfortunes: Tess's life is marked by a series of unfortunate events, beginning with the death of her family's horse, Prince.
• Tess's Final Act: Tess's murder of Alec and her subsequent execution underscore the tragic inevitability of her fate.
• Tess's Relationship with Angel: The complexities and eventual collapse of Tess and Angel's relationship highlight the theme of fate and societal constraints.

Key Characters

• Tess Durbeyfield: Represents the struggle against an unjust fate and societal constraints.
• Alec d'Urberville: The cause of much of Tess's suffering, representing the malevolent forces of fate.
• Angel Clare: Symbolizes the societal expectations and personal ideals that impact Tess's fate.
• John Durbeyfield: Tess's father, whose discovery of their noble lineage sets the tragic events in motion.

Key Quotations

"'Justice' was done, and the President of the Immortals, in Aeschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess. And the d'Urberville knights and dames slept on in their tombs unknowing."

• This quote highlights the cruel fate that Tess faces and the indifferent forces that control her destiny.

"It was to be. There lay the pity of it. An immeasurable social chasm was to divide our heroines from her former friends and from the recollections of happier things."

• Reflects the deterministic view of Tess's life and the societal forces shaping her fate.

"'Why am I on the wrong side of this door!' She said to herself. 'It is always so. Why, why!'"

• Emphasizes Tess's ongoing struggle against her predetermined fate and societal barriers.

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Key Plot Points

• Clarissa's Reflections: Clarissa's musings on her past and present life throughout the day emphasize the fluidity of time.
• Big Ben's Chimes: The recurring motif of Big Ben's chimes throughout the novel symbolizes the relentless passage of time.
• Septimus's Struggles: Septimus's experiences highlight the impact of past traumas on the present and future.

Key Characters

• Clarissa Dalloway: Reflects on her past choices and their impact on her present life.
• Septimus Warren Smith: Represents the lasting impact of past traumas on the present.
• Peter Walsh: His return and interactions with Clarissa highlight the passage of time and changing relationships.
• Sally Seton: Represents the contrast between past ideals and present realities.

Key Quotations

"But time, whatever it is, that splendid, ghastly, bewildering thing, paused over this table in the hall, paused in its inexorable flight for a moment."

• Emphasizes the novel's preoccupation with the passage of time and its impact on the characters' lives.

"Big Ben was beginning to strike, first the warning, musical; then the hour, irrevocable. The leaden circles dissolved in the air."

• Symbolizes the relentless and inescapable passage of time.

"She felt very young; at the same time unspeakably aged. She sliced like a knife through everything; at the same time was outside, looking on."

• Highlights Clarissa's complex relationship with time and her reflections on her life choices.

Nature and Modernity

Overview

The interaction between nature and modernity is a significant theme in both novels. "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" contrasts the pastoral beauty of the countryside with the encroaching industrial world, while "Mrs Dalloway" juxtaposes the natural beauty of flowers and parks with the bustling modernity of London and Big Ben.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Key Plot Points

• Tess's Rural Life: Tess's life in the countryside is depicted with pastoral beauty and innocence.
• Tess's Connection to Nature: Tess's affinity with nature and her ultimate tragic fate highlight the conflict between nature and modernity.
• Industrial Encroachment: The impact of industrialization on the rural landscape and Tess's life.

Key Characters

• Tess Durbeyfield: Embodies the purity and innocence of nature.
• Alec d'Urberville: Represents the corrupting influence of modernity on Tess's life.
• Angel Clare: His idealization of rural life contrasts with the realities of industrialization.
• John Durbeyfield: Represents the older generation's connection to the land and its traditions.

Key Quotations

"The vale of Blakemore lay amid the north-eastern undulations of the beautiful Vale of Blackmoor, an engirdled and secluded region, for the most part untrodden as yet by tourist or landscape-painter, though within a four hours' journey from London."

• Highlights the untouched beauty of the rural landscape and the encroaching threat of modernity.

"The river was dry, the step had gone, the pool was stagnated. The trees were untroubled by any breeze."

• Reflects the changing landscape and the impact of industrialization on nature.

"Tess had never before visited this part of the country, and yet she felt akin to the landscape."

• Emphasizes Tess's deep connection to nature and her displacement by modernity.

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Key Plot Points

• Clarissa's Walks in London: Clarissa's appreciation of flowers and parks contrasts with the bustling city life.
• Big Ben's Chimes: The symbol of modernity contrasts with the natural elements in the novel.
• Septimus's Observations: Septimus's perceptions of nature amidst the urban environment highlight his mental state.

Key Characters

• Clarissa Dalloway: Her love for flowers and nature contrasts with her urban existence.
• Septimus Warren Smith: His sensitivity to nature reflects his inner turmoil and detachment from modernity.
• Peter Walsh: His observations of the city and its natural elements highlight the tension between nature and modernity.
• Sally Seton: Represents a connection to the natural world and past ideals.

Key Quotations

"For having lived in Westminster – how many years now? over twenty, – one feels even in the midst of the traffic, or waking at night, Clarissa was positive, a particular hush, or solemnity; an indescribable pause; a suspense (but that might be her heart, affected, they said, by influenza) before Big Ben strikes. There! Out it boomed. First a warning, musical; then the hour, irrevocable. The leaden circles dissolved in the air."

• Reflects the juxtaposition of natural stillness and the modernity represented by Big Ben.

"But every one remembered; what she loved was this, here, now, in front of her; the fat lady in the cab. Did it matter then, she asked herself, walking towards Bond Street, did it matter that she must inevitably cease completely; all this must go on without her; did she resent it; or did it not become consoling to believe that death ended absolutely?"

• Highlights Clarissa's existential reflections amidst the urban environment.

"She had a perpetual sense, as she watched the taxi cabs, of being out, out far out to sea and alone; she always had the feeling that it was very, very dangerous to live even one day."

• Emphasizes the tension between the natural and modern elements in the novel.

Gender and Women's Roles

Overview

Both "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and "Mrs Dalloway" delve into the roles and challenges faced by women in their respective societies. Tess's experiences highlight the severe limitations and expectations imposed on women in Victorian society, while Clarissa Dalloway's life reflects the complexities of female identity and the search for meaning in post-war England.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Key Plot Points

• Tess's Seduction and Ruin: Tess is seduced by Alec d'Urberville, which leads to her social downfall. This incident highlights the double standards and harsh judgment faced by women who are victims of male exploitation.
• Tess's Final Act: Tess's murder of Alec and her subsequent execution underscore her ultimate rebellion against the oppressive forces that have controlled her life.
• Marriage to Angel Clare: Tess marries Angel, who abandons her upon learning of her past. This reflects the Victorian ideal of female purity and the harsh consequences of failing to meet this ideal.

Key Characters

• Tess Durbeyfield: The protagonist, whose life is marked by suffering and victimization due to societal and gender norms.
• Angel Clare: Tess's husband, whose idealism and subsequent rejection of Tess highlight Victorian moral hypocrisy.
• Alec d'Urberville: The antagonist who seduces Tess, representing male predatory power.

Key Quotations

"Did it never strike your mind that what every woman says some women may feel?"

• This quotation emphasizes the universal nature of female suffering and the societal tendency to dismiss women's experiences.

"You were more sinned against than sinning, that I admit."

• This highlights the double standards of Victorian society, where women are harshly judged for actions often beyond their control.

"Once victim, always victim—that's the law!"

• Reflects the inescapable nature of victimhood for women in Tess's society, pointing to the enduring impact of gendered injustice.

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Key Plot Points

• Clarissa's Party Preparation: The act of organizing a party reflects Clarissa's role in society and her search for meaning and connection.
• Septimus's Suicide: Septimus's struggles with PTSD and his eventual suicide highlight the broader societal neglect of mental health and the impact of war, contrasting with Clarissa's superficial social life.
• Clarissa's Reflections: Clarissa's introspection on her past relationships and her current life reveals her complex feelings about her identity and societal roles.

Key Characters

• Clarissa Dalloway: The protagonist, whose life epitomizes the roles and constraints faced by upper-class women in post-war England.
• Sally Seton: Represents an unconventional woman who challenges traditional gender roles.
• Septimus Warren Smith: A war veteran whose experiences and mental struggles parallel Clarissa's internal battles.

Key Quotations

"She had the oddest sense of being herself invisible; unseen; unknown; there being no more marrying, no more having of children now, but only this astonishing and rather solemn progress with the rest of them, up Bond Street, this being Mrs. Dalloway; not even Clarissa any more; this being Mrs. Richard Dalloway."

• This reflects Clarissa's struggle with her identity and the societal expectation to conform to her roles as wife and hostess.

"What does the brain matter compared with the heart?"

• Highlights the tension between intellectual aspirations and emotional experiences in women's lives.

"She felt somehow very like him—the young man who had killed himself. She felt glad that he had done it; thrown it away."

• This draws a parallel between Clarissa and Septimus, reflecting on the shared human experiences and societal constraints that affect both genders.

Isolation and Communication

Overview

Isolation and communication are central themes in both "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and "Mrs Dalloway." Tess's profound loneliness stems from her societal status and personal tragedies, while characters in "Mrs Dalloway" grapple with their internal thoughts and the challenges of genuine communication in the modern world.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Key Plot Points

• Tess's Isolation Post-Seduction: After being seduced by Alec, Tess is ostracized and isolated by her community, illustrating the severe consequences of societal judgment.
• Tess's Final Act: Tess's ultimate act of murder and her execution highlight her complete isolation from society and her desperate search for justice.
• Angel's Abandonment: Tess's abandonment by Angel further deepens her isolation, emphasizing the lack of understanding and communication between them.

Key Characters

• Tess Durbeyfield**:** Represents the profound isolation experienced by women who deviate from societal norms.
• Alec d'Urberville**:** Embodies the predatory forces that contribute to Tess's isolation.
• Angel Clare**:** His inability to accept Tess's past underscores the failure of communication and understanding in their relationship.

Key Quotations

"I am ready."

• Tess's acceptance of her fate at her execution symbolizes her resignation from her isolation and societal judgment.

"The tessellated pavement... seemed to feel her standing upon it and to shrink away."

• This imagery highlights Tess's sense of alienation and the harsh judgment she feels from the world around her.

"Tess! Forgive me for the sake of your heart!"

• Angel's plea reflects the belated recognition of the need for forgiveness and understanding, though it comes too late.

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Key Plot Points

• Clarissa's Party: The preparation for and the actual party serve as metaphors for Clarissa's attempts to connect with others despite her inner isolation.
• Peter Walsh's Return**:** Peter's return and his interactions with Clarissa reveal the complexities of their past relationship and the unspoken feelings that linger.
• Septimus's Isolation**:** Septimus's mental struggles and ultimate suicide highlight the intense isolation experienced by those suffering from PTSD and the failure of societal communication.

Key Characters

• Clarissa Dalloway: Her life reflects the struggle between the desire for social connection and the reality of personal isolation.
• Peter Walsh: His interactions with Clarissa highlight the difficulties of genuine communication and understanding in relationships.
• Septimus Warren Smith: His tragic end underscores the ultimate failure of communication and societal support for those in need.

Key Quotations

"For there she was."

• Reflects Clarissa's realization of her existence and isolation, despite her social engagements.

"He could not feel."

• Describes Septimus's profound isolation and detachment from the world due to his PTSD.

"The clock was striking."

• Symbolizes the relentless passage of time and the persistent isolation felt by the characters, despite their attempts at communication.