Compare How the Authors Capture the Readers’ Sympathy for Their Eponymous Heroines in 'the French Lieutenant's Woman' and 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'
Compare how the authors capture the readers’ sympathy for their eponymous heroines.
The two authors of the novels ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ and ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’; manage to evoke sympathy for their two eponymous characters to the reader through a variety of themes and characterization techniques. While both characters experience tragedy in their lives, the differences and similarities between the portrayals from the authors is what may or may not capture the readers sympathy.
The very nature of the name ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ where you learn the word ‘Whore’ replaces ‘Woman’ as a label for Sarah portrays her as a possession. Despite the way Varguennes treated her, she still waits for him at Lyme Regis. The appellation she gives herself is indicative of her own belief that she feels dominated by the lieutenant.
“’I am the French Lieutenant’s Whore’” (Chpt 20/ Pg 171)
The same can apply for ‘Tess’ through the nature of the title ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ in which Hardy implies that Tess is possessed by the D’Urberville name rather than being a Durbeyfield.
“ . . What obscure stain in the D’Urberville blood had led to this aberration.” (Chpt 57/ Pg 492)
The idea of both Sarah and Tess being possessions of a bloodline or of a man is something that would elicit sympathy from the reader, especially the contemporary reader whom will most likely find abhorrence from the eponymous title because of the modern day equality between men and woman. Furthermore, throughout the novels both Sarah and Tess’ lives are inclined by men. Sarah finds compassion from Charles who only meets her only in private. Sarah relies on Charles and makes him her confidant.
“Because you have travelled. Because you are educated. Because you are a gentleman.” (Chpt 18/ Pg 139)
This evokes sympathy from the reader because we gain a sense of Sarah’s jealousy towards some of Charles’ attributes. She also has a special relationship with him because he is the
The two authors of the novels ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ and ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’; manage to evoke sympathy for their two eponymous characters to the reader through a variety of themes and characterization techniques. While both characters experience tragedy in their lives, the differences and similarities between the portrayals from the authors is what may or may not capture the readers sympathy.
The very nature of the name ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ where you learn the word ‘Whore’ replaces ‘Woman’ as a label for Sarah portrays her as a possession. Despite the way Varguennes treated her, she still waits for him at Lyme Regis. The appellation she gives herself is indicative of her own belief that she feels dominated by the lieutenant.
“’I am the French Lieutenant’s Whore’” (Chpt 20/ Pg 171)
The same can apply for ‘Tess’ through the nature of the title ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ in which Hardy implies that Tess is possessed by the D’Urberville name rather than being a Durbeyfield.
“ . . What obscure stain in the D’Urberville blood had led to this aberration.” (Chpt 57/ Pg 492)
The idea of both Sarah and Tess being possessions of a bloodline or of a man is something that would elicit sympathy from the reader, especially the contemporary reader whom will most likely find abhorrence from the eponymous title because of the modern day equality between men and woman. Furthermore, throughout the novels both Sarah and Tess’ lives are inclined by men. Sarah finds compassion from Charles who only meets her only in private. Sarah relies on Charles and makes him her confidant.
“Because you have travelled. Because you are educated. Because you are a gentleman.” (Chpt 18/ Pg 139)
This evokes sympathy from the reader because we gain a sense of Sarah’s jealousy towards some of Charles’ attributes. She also has a special relationship with him because he is the
Bibliography: ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ by Thomas Hardy. Penguin Popular Classics. First published 1981. Published in Penguin Popular Classics in 1994. ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman” by John Fowles. First published in Great Britain in 1969. First published by Vintage in 1996. York Notes. Tess of the D’Urbervilles. www.person-books.com/yorknotes. http://www.litnotes.co.uk/french_lieutenants_woman.htm