Abstract

Tess of the d’Urbervilles is a famous tragedy of Thomas Hardy. Many people studied the causes of the tragedy, while few of them see the of studying the natural images in the novel, such as birds, flying insects, roses, ect. The problem is what images did Hardy use in this novel and how did they contribute to description of Tess’s tragic life. Our former researchers, both domestic and oversea, who touched upon this field have listed some natural images but few of them have made an in- depth and systematic research on this field. Standing on the shoulders of our former giants, this essay will summarize the natural images into four groups: the images of environment, the images of animals and plants, the images of colors and the images of buildings, then it goes further to solve the second question about how the images functioned in the novel:(1) The description of natural images paved the road for Tess’s tragedy. (2) The description of natural images rendered Tess’s tragedy. (3) The description of natural images existed throughout Tess’s tragedy. The research helps to better understand the author’s writing techniques and may become a reference article for future research in this aspect. 

Keywords: Thomas Hardy， Tess,  natural images,  tragedy

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

Acknowledgments-II

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Background Information-1

1.2 Literature review-1

1.2.1 Definition of Imagism and Metaphor-1

1.2.2 Previous study on Imagism in Tess of the d’Urbervilles at home and abroad-2

2. Research findings of natural images in Tess of the D 'Urbervilles-4

2.3 Natural images in Tess of the d’Urbervilles-4

2.3.1 Studies on environment-4

2.1.1.1   Sun-4

2.1.1.3   Wind and snow-5

2.1.1.4   Stars and month-6

2.1.1.5   Fire-6

2.3.2 Studies on animals-6

2.1.2.1   Cow-6

2.3.3 Studies on colors-7

2.1.3.1   Green and white-7

2.1.3.2   Yellow-7

2.1.3.3   Black-7

2.1.3.4   Red-8

2.1.3.5   Color conflict-8

2.3.4 Studies on buildings-8

2.1.4.1   A very Temple of the winds-8

2.1.4.2   The wilderness, dead trees, monsters, magic fort, sarcophagus, the old temple, heaven-8

2.4 The role of natural images in Hardy’s portrait of  Tess’s tragedy-9

2.4.1 The description of natural images paved the road for Tess’s tragedy.-9

2.4.2 The description of natural images rendered Tess’s tragedy.-10

2.4.3 The description of natural images existed throughout Tess’s tragedy.-11

3. Conclusion-12

References-12