Hello everyone,
This blog task is based on Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure. For the further information click here,
1) What is the significance of epigraph written by Hardy - 'Letter Killeth' - for this novel, Jude the Obscure.
Ans
"The letter killeth, but the sprit giveth life"
Thomas Hardy's choice of the epigraph "Letter Killeth" for his novel "Jude the Obscure" immediately signals a thematic exploration of the conflict between societal conventions and individual aspirations.
This biblical reference, taken from 2 Corinthians 3:6, serves as a lens through which the novel's characters navigate the rigid structures of Victorian society.
Here, 'Letter Killeth' is referred to as meaning that we do not have to stick to the literal interpretation of laws or doctrines, meaning of any religious texts, or to blindly follow the writings of such religious texts, emphasizing the potential harm that can come from strict adherence to societal expectations. Rather, we have to look for the spirit of the written words, which can be more helpful to human society.
The characters in the novel, particularly Jude and Sue Bridgehead, were the objects of societal constraints. They grappled with many societal conventions, such as marriage, education, and love. It is evident in the novel that Sue and Jude are such characters who are stuck in unhappy marriages. Though both love each other, they cannot live together because of rigid social norms.
Richard Phillotson, the schoolmaster, planted the seed of education in the mind of Jude, and just like his mentor, Jude wants to pursue higher education and wants to take admission to the University of Christminster. For that, Jude learns the Latin language and reads many religious books of sermons and popes. but, because of his low birth and work as a stonemason, he was not qualified for admission to the university.
The spirit of rebellion is evident in Sue Bridgehead's character, who is in open rebellion against social conventions and norms. She was married to Jude's mentor, Phillotson, but that was an unwanted marriage. She just wanted to make Jude jealous after the revelation of Jude's marriage to Arabella.
With this epigraph, Hardy criticized Victorian morality and the rigid conventions of contemporary society.
In conclusion, the epigraph "Letter Killeth" in "Jude the Obscure" encapsulates the novel's central theme of the tension between societal letters and the human spirit. Hardy employs biblical wisdom to challenge the Victorian conventions that stifled individuality, portraying the tragic outcomes of a society unwilling to recognize the life-giving potential of the human spirit.
2) is it possible to connect the meaning of epigraph of 'Esdras' at the beginning of the first chapter of the novel and the myth of Bhasmasur?
Ans
Myth of Bhasmasur
Bhasmasur was a demon who received a boon from Lord Shiva, allowing him to turn anyone into ashes by touching their head. However, he planned to use this power against the creator. Bhasmasur wanted destructions of mankind, but this lust for power led him to his his devastation.
Though, coming from different culture Esdras at the beginning of the novel and myth of Bhasmasur can be connected through themes of the novel. we can draw parellel between themes like pursuit of knowledge, desire of power and self-destruction.
Parallel Between the Epigraph and Myth of Bhasmasur
In the context of "Jude the Obscure," Jude's character can be seen as someone who seeks knowledge and fulfillment but is thwarted by societal norms and expectations—the "letter" that, in its rigid interpretation, proves restrictive and damaging. The pursuit of education is particularly visible in Jude who wanted to study at the Christminster university, despite of his command and proficiency over Latin language he was not able to get admission in the college. This power of knowledge is also sought by Bhasmasur as well.
Bhasmasur highlight the pitfalls of blindly following rules or seeking power without understanding the broader consequences. Jude's struggles in the novel can be interpreted as a narrative that embodies the tension between external constraints and the internal spirit or essence of individual lives.
The biblical quote speaks to the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying principles or spirit that gives life to actions and decisions. In the case of Bhasmasur, the myth warns against the misuse of power and the destructive consequences that can follow.
In "Jude the Obscure," one could argue that the characters, like Bhasmasur, grapple with the unintended consequences of their actions and choices, highlighting the importance of understanding the spirit behind societal norms and personal aspirations.
In conclusion, the epigraph and the myth both contribute to a thematic exploration of the consequences of blindly adhering to rules or seeking power without a profound understanding of the underlying spirit. "Jude the Obscure" invites readers to reflect on the tension between societal expectations and the deeper essence of human existence, resonating with universal themes found in both biblical teachings and mythological narratives.
(Prompted by ChatGPT)
3) Jude the Obscure - Hardy's Symbolic Indictment of Christianity.
Ans
In the novel Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy criticizes the rigidity of social laws and conventions in Victorian times.
Hardy uses vivid images and different symbols derived from the evolution of Christianity to criticize so-called Christian society. One such image is the portrayal of the pig, which describes the animality of Arabella. Killing the pig became the main reason behind the breakup of the marriage between Jude and Arabella.
Marriage, drinking, and blood are the major images in the novel, which represent the three different beaches of religion: Judaism, Christianity, and Pagan. Arabella is a representative of an unclean animal among Jews because of her butchering work.
Moreover, Sue, Jude, Arabella, and Phillotson are the characters that have symbolic meanings, as earlier we saw Arabella as Jewish. Here, Jude is one of the Jewish names, but there is also a reference to the name Jude in the New Testament, so Jude is associated with both Jews and Christians. And the name Phillotson is a reference to non-Jewish middle-class people.
Initially, Sue Bridehead was free from any religious beliefs, and she seemed to have no faith in Christianity, even though she worships the pagan goddess. On the other hand, Jude was a profound believer in God and had the utmost faith in Christianity, so he started learning the Latin language to get admission to Christminster University.
Marriage remains one of the major symbols in the novel. Sue and Jude both love each other but cannot be together because they are both married to other people, in a way a miss-matched marriage, which was inevitable since Sue and Jude are both obscure characters. And, because of the love and relationship between Jude and Sue, Phillotson had to resign from his work under societal pressure.
Moreover, the character of Littler Father Time can be seen as a Christ figure, and his killing of his siblings and his suicide can be interpreted as 'Crucifixion'.
References
- Barad, Dilip. “Jude the Obscure.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 27 January 2021, https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/01/jude-obscure.html. Accessed 18 October 2023.
- Holland, Norman. “‘Jude the Obscure’: Hardy’s Symbolic Indictment of Christianity.” Nineteenth-Century Fiction, vol. 9, no. 1, 1954, pp. 50–60. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3044291. Accessed 18 Oct. 2023.
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