Jude the Obscure

Author: Hardy
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: The Mayor of Casterbridge is one of the finest works by the British writer Thomas Hardy. Hardy himself claimed to have written about the "struggle of soul and flesh." The novel narrates the tragic life of the rural youth Jude in a mournful tone. Jude is studious, thoughtful, and works hard on self-education, yet he is always denied entry to university. The heroine, Sue, is intelligent and beautiful, and more importantly, possesses an independent personality and way of thinking. She despises the conventions of society and the rigid dogma of religion. However, her love with Jude is condemned by the church and looked down upon by society. Jude fails to achieve his ambitions, has no means to find a job, and has no access to loans. In despair, his eldest son hangs himself along with his frail younger sister and brother. Stricken by this tragedy, Sue ultimately submits to fate and the church, leaving the man she loves, sacrificing her free-thinking spirit and independent personality. Jude, meanwhile, indulges in alcohol all day, becomes ill and depressed, and dies in resentment at the age of thirty.