Jude the Obscure" is a novel written by Thomas Hardy, published in 1895. It tells the story of Jude Fawley, a young and ambitious working-class man with dreams of pursuing a university education and becoming a scholar. However, he faces numerous social and personal obstacles that complicate his journey, including complex relationships, societal norms, and personal tragedies. The novel explores themes of class, education, morality, and the limitations placed on individuals by their circumstances, making it a powerful and controversial work in the context of late 19th-century England.
Question : 1
What is the significance of the epigraph written by Hardy - 'Letter Killeth' - for this novel, Jude the Obscure.
Ans. :
If we want to discuss this topic, it's essential for all of us to have a clear understanding of what an epigraph is. So, let's start by exploring the definition of an epigraph.
Meaning of Epigraph :
An epigraph is a short quotation that is placed at the beginning of a book, chapter, or other work of writing. It is often used to set the tone of the work or to introduce a major theme.
Epigraphs can be taken from a variety of sources, including the Bible, other religious texts, classical literature, and popular culture. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as :
> To introduce a major theme of the work
> To provide context for the work
> To create a certain mood or atmosphere
> To pay homage to another author or work of writing.
In some cases, the meaning of an epigraph may be clear and straightforward. In other cases, the epigraph may be more ambiguous and require interpretation. The reader is often left to decide how the epigraph relates to the work as a whole.
Here are some examples of famous epigraphs:
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." - Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
"Call me Ishmael." - Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1
"To be or not to be, that is the question." - William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Epigraphs can be a powerful way to enhance a work of writing. They can add depth, meaning, and resonance to the work. They can also be used to create a sense of anticipation or mystery in the reader.
What is the significance of the epigraph written by Hardy - 'Letter Killeth' - for this novel, Jude the Obscure.
According to 2 Corinthians 3:6, the epigraph "Letter Killeth" from Hardy's book "Jude the Obscure" quotes this verse: "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." This epigraph's significance for the book "Jude the Obscure" can be seen in its themes and the conflict between the characters' inner wants and rigid social norms. Examples of how this epigraph is significant in the context of the book are provided below:
"The Struggle of Personal Ambition Against Conventional Norms."
In "Jude the Obscure," the epigraph "Letter Killeth" captures the tension between societal rules (the "letter" of the law or tradition) and personal impulses, which is the main theme of the book. It implies that naively following conventional norms can be restrictive and harmful. This is demonstrated in the novel's background by Jude's endeavors to further his education and his desire to enroll at Christminster. The conservative expectations and values of his society always oppose him in spite of his resolve.
Quest for Knowledge and Personal Growth" :
Jude is someone who genuinely wants to learn and receive an excellent education, similar to someone who wants to attend college. But Jude's society at the time was quite structured, with a detailed list of dos and don'ts. The "Letter Killeth" epigraph is similar to those stringent guidelines. Jude seems to be prevented from opening the book and obtaining the education he wants by these rules.
Therefore, the "letter" in the epigraph stands for the rigid and unyielding social norms that prevent Jude from realizing his aspirations. Jude finds it extremely difficult to pursue his aim of learning and self-improvement because these regulations operate as a barred door. As a result, he must constantly balance what he wants with what is realistic.
"Early Warning of Tragedy in the Story" :
The epigraph at the beginning of the book gives us a hint that something very sad is going to happen to the characters. It's like a warning sign. It suggests that when people stick too closely to strict, old-fashioned rules and values, it can cause really bad things to happen. In the story, this adherence to traditional ways makes the characters go through a lot of pain and eventually leads to their lives falling apart. So, the epigraph tells us right from the start that this is going to be a very sad and tragic story.
"Thomas Hardy's Critique of Old-Fashioned Rules in Victorian Society"
The author, Thomas Hardy, uses the epigraph as a way to make fun of or criticize the way society was in the Victorian era. He does this by quoting a part of the Bible that says it's not good to be too strict with traditions. By doing this, he's saying that the strict rules and moral values of that time were oppressive and didn't make much sense. He's basically showing how silly and harsh those old-fashioned rules were and how they made the characters in the story suffer.
The epigraph "Letter Killeth" is like a guiding idea for the whole story. It's like a spotlight on the main themes of the book, which are all about the struggle between what people want for themselves and what society expects from them. The book also shows how this clash can lead to bad things happening. So, the epigraph helps us understand what the book is all about – people's dreams and the problems they face when those dreams don't match what society thinks is right.
Watch this video for summary of the novel "Jude the Obscure" :
Question : 2
Is it possible to connect the meaning of the epigraph of 'Esdras' at the beginning of the first chapter of the novel and the myth of Bhasmasur?
Ans. :
Yes, it is possible to connect the meaning of the epigraph of 'Esdras' at the beginning of the first chapter of the novel "Jude the Obscure" and the myth of Bhasmasur.
The Epigraph :
The epigraph of 'Esdras' at the beginning of the first chapter of **Jude the Obscure** is from the Book of Esdras in the Apocrypha:
> "The days will draw nigh, and the years will approach, when the mother shall forget her child, and the father shall not pity his daughter, and the brother shall not spare his brother, because of the famine in the midst of the land."
This epigraph foreshadows the tragic events of the novel, in which Jude and Sue's children are neglected and abused, and Jude himself is ultimately destroyed by the harsh realities of life.
"The Myth of Bhasmasur" :
Bhasmasur was a demon in Hindu mythology who was granted a boon by the god Shiva that whatever he touched would turn to ash. Bhasmasur became drunk with power and decided to test Shiva's boon by touching him on the head. Shiva quickly realized the danger and fled, with Bhasmasur in close pursuit.
Shiva eventually escaped by tricking Bhasmasur into touching his own head, which turned him to ash. The myth of Bhasmasur is a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and the importance of humility.
"Connecting the Two" :
The epigraph of 'Esdras' and the myth of Bhasmasur are both stories about the destructive power of unchecked ambition and the importance of humility. In "Jude the Obscure" ,Jude is a man who is consumed by his ambition to become a scholar. He neglects his family and his own happiness in pursuit of his goals, and he ultimately pays the price for his pride.
Similarly, Bhasmasur is a demon who is destroyed by his own arrogance. He is granted a powerful boon by Shiva, but he becomes so drunk with power that he forgets the importance of humility. In the end, Bhasmasur is destroyed by his own hubris.
Both the epigraph and the myth of Bhasmasur serve as warnings to the reader about the dangers of ambition and the importance of humility. They remind us that even the most powerful people are vulnerable to their own pride, and that we should always be careful not to let our ambition consume us.
In addition to the above, there are a few other specific connections that can be made between the epigraph and the myth:
> Both Jude and Bhasmasur are granted a boon by a higher power.
> Both Jude and Bhasmasur use their power for selfish purposes.
> Both Jude and Bhasmasur are ultimately destroyed by their own pride.
Ultimately, the epigraph and the myth of Bhasmasur serve as a reminder that we should be careful about what we wish for, and that we should always be humble in our dealings with others.
Question : 3 :
Structure of the Novel : Jude the Obscure
As Sir mentioned in this video,The structure of the novel might be described as a series of " reversals of belief in Jude and Sue" and their changing marital relationships as they both go down to defeat. This structural approach is used to unravel the story's progression. At the beginning, Sue's view of things is secular and rational.
The video also makes a connection to John Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel," showcasing a similar narrative structure. "Absalom and Achitophel" commences by introducing the people, then delves into the lives of King David and his wife.
Their illegitimate son is also a central character in the story. Alongside these key figures, various groups and individuals are brought into the narrative, including Achitophel, who is deeply dissatisfied and attempts to incite Absalom against the king. As the plot unfolds, temptations and tensions arise, with people being swayed by Absalom, who ultimately emerges as a leader in opposition to the king. The narrative reaches its conclusion as the king addresses the situation and the consequences of the unfolding events.
"Like 'Absalom and Achitophel,' this novel is quite complex and has received criticism for being unclear about its intentions. Some people believe that Thomas Hardy, the author, wasn't as straightforward as he was in his previous works. In this novel, there are many different themes, especially love, all mixed together, making it hard to follow. Because of this complexity, the novel's structure can sometimes be confusing, and readers might struggle to understand why the characters behave the way they do."
As we know earlier that , In the beginning Sue's view of things is secular and rationalist, expressed, for example, in her sympathy with ancient rather than medieval culture, her scorn of conventional religious belief, her buying of pagan statuary, her reading of Gibbon. Jude's beliefs are, at first, conventionally Christian, as his desire to be ordained, his reading of standard authors, and his love of medieval culture and architecture show. By the end of the novel Sue has reverted to conventional beliefs, as evidenced by her concern for the sanctity of marriage and her desire to perform penances for her sins. On the other hand, Jude no longer professes his old beliefs and finds himself, as he says in his speech to the street crowd in Christminster, in "a chaos of principles."
This change in beliefs is closely paralleled by their marital relationships. At first, they are separated by marriage to other people as they are apart in belief As Jude's ideas change, they are legally freed by divorce, and they come to live together and to be "married," in fact, if not in name. When Sue returns to conventional Christian beliefs, they separate and remarry their first spouses.
Jude's death as a failure in Christminster and Sue's forcing herself to go to Phillotson's bed are striking signs of their defeat in life. This defeat is mirrored as well in Phillotson, who at Marygreen has fallen to the bottom professionally and who stiffly requires Sue to swear loyalty to him on a New Testament, and to a lesser extent in Arabella, who though she loses Jude does not lose her vitality.
In these changes and defeat Hardy has embodied the theme of his novel: Jude and Sue have been caught up in the modern spirit, have struggled to break free of the old ways, and have suffered and failed. It is this that justifies Hardy's description of the novel, in his preface to it, as a "tragedy of unfulfilled aims."
The novel is divided into six parts, each of which chronicles a different stage in Jude's life.
The novel's structure can also be seen as a reflection of Jude's "inner journey". Jude begins the novel as a hopeful and optimistic young man, but he is gradually disillusioned by the harsh realities of life. By the end of the novel, he has lost his faith in God, his love for Sue, and his ambition to become a scholar.
Conclusion:
In short, we can say that the structure of "Jude the Obscure" is a reflection of the protagonist's "tragic downfall". Jude is a sympathetic character, but he is also flawed and makes a number of mistakes. The novel's structure emphasizes the inevitability of Jude's tragedy, while also highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.
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