JUDE THE OBSCURE: PORTRAYING THE DISRUPTION OF THE SOCIETY

Abstract

Thomas Hardy was born at a time when, in Europe and in rest of the world, political forces were gathering strength to stage revolts and revolutions. He died two years before the onset of the Great Depression. Hardy had the unique opportunity to see the established feudalism reign of leading to the rise of bourgeoisie. Hardy’s life spanned two centuries: the second half of 
the 19th century and the first three crucial decades of the 20th century. All his novels chronicle his life experiences clubbed with the social experiences. Thus his novel remains as a mirror to forecast the 19th century upheaval in the society. While reformation and reconstruction were the ongoing progress in the 19th century, the darker side or the underworld of the same period must not go unrecorded. Thomas hardy’s works balances the brighter and the darker side of his society balancing and justifying the true image of the society.  While the majority of his themes are centered on the disturbance of the society; this paper is limited with Jude the Obscure attempting 
to analyze the disruption of the society through the protagonist: Jude Fawley.