Abstract: Symbolism plays an important role in the novel of Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, which is especially vivid. This paper aims to study the symbolism employed in the novel of Jude the Obscure, which covers four aspects of symbolic images. They are symbolism of animals, symbolism of colors, symbolism of weather and symbolism of characters. By means of variety of symbolic images, Thomas Hardy not only reveals the theme of the novel but also implies the cruelty of natural rules, which therefore naturally predicts the miserable fates of the main characters in the novel.

Key words: Jude the Obscure; symbolism; animal; color; weather; character

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

  1.1 Thomas Hardy

  1.2 Jude the Obscure

2. Literary Review..2

3. Symbolism Employed in Jude the Obscure.3

3.1 Definition of Symbolism

3.2 Symbolism of Animals

3.2.1 Pigs

3.2.2 Tigers

3.2.3 Rabbits

3.2.4 Birds

3.3 Symbolism of Colors

3.3.1 White

3.3.2 Brown

3.3.3 Dark

3.4 Symbolism of Weather

3.4.1 Fog

3.4.2 Wind and Rain

3.5 Symbolism of Characters

3.5.1 Jude

3.5.2 Arabella

3.5.3 Sue

3.5.4 Phillotson

4. Conclusion10

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements..12