Pessimism and Optimism in Tess Of

D'Urbervilles

Qurat-ul-ain Fatima
Bs 4 (English)
 optimism and pessimism
• An optimistic person sees good things
everywhere, is generally confident and
hopeful of what the future holds. From the
optimist's point-of-view the world is full of
potential opportunities. The pessimist, on the
other hand, observes mainly the negative
aspects of everything around.
Difference between optimist and pessimist
and realist?
• Optimist: Someone inclined to feel hopeful and
confident about the future or the success of
endeavors. Pessimist: Someone inclined to
anticipate the worst outcomes or perceive the
darker facets of circumstances. Realist: An
individual who acknowledges situations as they are
and prepares to address them accordingly.
•
• Pessimism holds a significant place in human lives.
In our day to day life we come across
 Optimism:

• Tess's Resilience: Despite the many challenges she faces, Tess demonstrates resilience
and strength of character. She continues to persevere and hold onto her sense of self-
worth, even in the face of adversity.
•
• Moments of Beauty: Hardy also portrays moments of natural beauty and human
connection throughout the novel, offering glimpses of hope and optimism amidst the
darkness. These moments serve as reminders of the possibility for redemption and love.
• ‫۔‬
• Moral Integrity: Tess maintains her moral integrity throughout the novel, even when
faced with difficult choices. Her commitment to doing what she believes is right, despite
the consequences, can be seen as a source of optimism in the story.
•
• Overall, while "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" is often viewed as a pessimistic novel due to its
tragic ending and exploration of societal injustices, it also contains elements of
resilience, beauty, and moral integrity that offer moments of optimism amid the
bleakness.
 Pessimism
• In "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," Thomas Hardy portrays a sense of pessimism through various themes and
elements in the narrative:
•
• Fate and Determinism: A prevailing theme in the novel is the idea of fate and determinism. Tess is often
portrayed as being trapped by her circumstances and unable to escape her predetermined destiny. Hardy
suggests that individuals are powerless against the forces of fate, leading to a pessimistic view of human
agency and free will.
• Social Injustice: Hardy critiques the social structure of Victorian England, highlighting the injustices faced by
individuals like Tess, who is marginalized and exploited by those in positions of power. The class system and
rigid social norms contribute to Tess's downfall, emphasizing the bleakness of her situation and the lack of
fairness in society.
Tragic Endings: The novel concludes tragically for Tess, with her ultimate demise serving as a stark reminder
of the harsh realities of life. Her struggles and sacrifices ultimately lead to her downfall, reinforcing a sense of
pessimism about the inevitability of suffering and the absence of redemption.
• Loss of Innocence: Tess's journey is marked by a loss of innocence, as she is confronted with betrayal,
disillusionment, and moral ambiguity. Hardy depicts the corrupting influence of society on individuals,
leading to a pessimistic view of human nature and the inability to maintain purity and goodness in the face of
external pressures.
• Through these elements and others, Thomas Hardy creates a narrative imbued with a pervasive sense of
pessimism, highlighting the harshness of life and the inherent struggles faced by individuals within society.
 How is Thomas Hardy a pessimist?

• Hardy's conception of life is basically tragic. He

is one of those who believe that life is full of
hurdles which we cannot override. His novels
concentrate on human sufferings and show
that there is no escape for human beings.
Pessimism runs like a dark thread through his
novels.
 What Thomas Hardy says about
pessimism?
• “Pessimism is, in brief, playing the sure game. You
cannot lose at it; you may gain. It is the only view of
life in which you can never be disappointed. Having
reckoned what to do in the worst possible
circumstances, when better arise, as they may, life
becomes child's play.”
― Thomas Hardy
• One critic wrote that “Hardy watches over Tess like
a stricken victim. He is as tender to Tess as Tess is to
the world. Tender and helpless.”