The two events of dawn and dusk play integral part in Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It is notable that major incidents in the novel take place at the time of dawn and dusk and it is due to the light, which is so dim at these two events of dawn and dusk that it does not allow the characters to reveal their personalities and thoughts clearly and vividly.
As Lodge says, "we must not assume that such a relationship between character and setting is a necessary feature of imaginative prose, or that Hardy failed to establish it through incompetence. The truth is more complex"
In these lines, Lodge appeals Hardy's reader to comprehend the purpose, which lies behind Hardy's settings. He does not use nature just to give a tint of visual imagery; Lodge asserts that the setting in Hardy's novel plays pivotal in building up the plot of the novel. It has a purpose to serve that needs to be understood by reading between the lines.
Thomas Hardy is famous for using nature in his novels with a strong purpose. He uses nature to highlight the important events of novel. In fact, either all the important and significant events are foreshadowed by nature or they simply occur because of nature. Nevertheless, there are many types of nature that Hardy uses in his novels, such as the sky, the insects, natural sounds, the birds etc. Similarly, he also uses the natural light as a part of nature and it is evident that light plays integral role in Hardy's novel.
For instance, in FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD Bathsheba very first entrance is highlighted by the bright sunshine. She is shown to be in a spotlight. Moreover, in that scene, she is wearing a crimson jacket and she is admiring herself by looking in a mirror. In addition, her intension is to make the other people around to watch her and admire her beauty. In this particular scene, the significance of light can be analyzed, as the light is dazzling on her to make her eminent and to bring her to limelight to reveal the fact that the whole plot is going to move around her. In addition, since the light is bright enough that one can see things clearly, her intentions are vivid that she is proud of her vanity so she wants other to praise her beauty too.
On the other hand, there is a scene in the same novel, at the time of dawn when Bathsheba, the heroin tries to cross the bushes on the horse back and Oak was astonished to see the way she manages to hold herself while lying on the horse back and he thinks of this act as a manly one. Now in this scene since it is dawn and the light is quiet low Oak thinks of her as a courageous woman, when she is not, as evident in the novel. Her characters develops with the coarse of the novel. So this misinterpretation of Bathsheba's character is because Oak is not able to think clearly in the fainted light of nature. This is how Hardy uses light as a source of nature, which determines the thinking as well as the action of characters.
Similarly, in his novel TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES he uses fainted light that is present at the time of dawn and dusk to determine not only the behaviours and thoughts of characters but also the plot of the entire novel. It is noteworthy that all the significant incidents and accidents take place at the time of dawn and dusk.
As Irwin says, "Representation of the external world may be read as a reflection of mental or spiritual world" (8)
This view of Irwin is valid largely, it is notable in the novel that the external fainted light that occurs at the time of dawn and dusk compels the characters to react and think vaguely. They are not clear about what they are thinking or doing. This is how the dim light represents the obscurity of the thoughts and actions of characters.
For instance, the accident in which the Prince dies occurs at dawn. It was the time when Tess rises from her sleep and discovers that the harness is entangled with some other object. (Ch: 4)
Since it was dawn, the light was not bright enough to see things clearly, in fact, it was as light as honey and things were not visible to Tess consequently, her thoughts and actions were uncertain to Tess herself. This is how representation of the dim external light can reflects the blurred internal intentions. In addition, the significance of dawn here can be justified by the following chapters when Tess is compelled to see Alec to claim her kin so that she could help her family out of the life of destitute.
Moreover, Hardy highlights the relationship of man and nature in terms external and internal conflict in this novel.
As Butler asserts, "Nature, echoes man just as man echoes nature" (112) in these lines, Butler brings up the idea that the nature and the characters are interrelated. The interference of nature cannot be ignored. This assertion can be marked out in the text.
"The evening sun was now ugly to her, like a great inflamed wound in sky" (Ch: 21)
These lines appear when Tess declines Angel's proposal at Talbothays dairy at the time of sunset; that is dusk. In this example, nature is echoing character and vice versa. Tess refuses Angel's proposal because of her liaison with Alec in the past. That is why this moment of dusk is not pleasant, it echoes Tess's past. On the other hand, On Angel, the dim light has the same effect as it has been seen throughout the novel on every character. Angel is unaware of Tess's past that is why he proposed her. So again, the dim light echoes the uncertainty of mind, Angel could not comprehend Tess's rejection. Therefore, the light as a source of nature and characters are interconnected.
However, Butler's comment about the nature and its relationship with character is appropriate to the plot of the novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
Moreover, Irwin says, "There is a scrupulosity of details which strongly imply that time, light and perceived mood of nature are essential to the significance of what is taking place"
The idea that Irwin states is very much evident in the novel. All of the major incidents take place in the peculiar light of dawn and dusk, which determines the internal thoughts and external actions of characters. It is the time of dawn when Angel is sexually attracted towards Tess. He praises Tess by commenting, "What a fresh virginal daughter of nature that milkmaid is" (Ch: 20)
It is the significance of dawn that Angel finds Tess sexually attracted at a particular time only, otherwise he sees her just as a milkmaid.
Similarly, in the Chase scene, the light of dawn is significant in Tess's harassment.
"The Chase was wrapped in the thick darkness, although morning was not far off...The obscurity was now so great that he could see absolutely nothing but a pale nebulousness at his feet...Above them rose the primeval yews and oaks of The Chase, in which were poised gentle roosting birds in their last nap; and about them stole the hopping rabbits and hares" (Ch: 11)
Tess was raped at the moment of dawn again time holds its significance which leads to the fainted light of dawn which further leads to Alec's action of raping Tess which he commits without the introspection. As it is seen throughout the novel that dim light makes the person unable to think clearly. This is what exactly happened to Alec in The Chase. However, this is what makes Irwin's point regarding the time and light valid.
Similarly, David Lodge's view is somewhat relevant to this argument, which says that light, and time both are interconnected. Lodge says," All the visible objects seem to partake of one another in balanced mutual awareness"
Here Lodge is making the same point that all the natural atmosphere participates in one or the other way in the lives of the characters. All the accidents and incidents happen at the time of dawn and dusk. Lodge is absolutely correct in using the words " all the objects" because all the natural objects in one or the other way participates in the coarse of the novel. Nevertheless, its is light which serves as a main source of nature and have greater influence on the plot of the novel than all the other natural visible objects. For instance, Prince and Sorrow dies at dawn, Alec rapes Tess at dawn, Tess meets Angel at dawn, Tess refuses Angel's proposal at dusk, every time when Tess leaves for journey it's dawn, Mr. D'Uberfield's funeral takes place at dusk , Tess is hanged at dawn etc. All these events are the turning point in the novel and they have the significance of their own.
Moreover, some critics believe that nature serves as a superficial power that works behind the scene, and characters use the sign of nature as omen. In Tess, light can also be seen as an omen. It can be judged as an ill omen or good omen according to the circumstances that occur in the novel. For instance, light can be seen as good or bad omen in different situations. At times, the bright light is harsh and can be read as ill omen, but it can also be seen as a good omen, as symbol of new beginning or can be considered as a light of hope. It is because Hardy's purpose is to show that nature is not always merciful or admirable but it can be harsh and ugly too.
As Bonica says, "the pagan perception of nature as alive with meaning to humans can be double-edged sword. Although at times nature seems to reinforce human joy, it can also intensify human sorrow"
In these lines, Bonica throws light on Hardy's view of nature, which says that nature is like picture which has two sides; that is good and bad. Similarly, the light as a source of nature serves both the purposes good and bad.
In TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES light is used as major source of nature. The light of dawn and dusk has the major influence not only on the characters but on their thoughts and actions as well. It is the time of dawn and dusk when all the major events take place that determines the plot of the novel.
Sarah Sarhandi
Sarah Sarhandi
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