World Literature Classics Series: Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Author: (English) Thomas Hardy, translated by Wang Zhongxiang, Nie Zhenzhao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: Thomas Hardy (1840—1928) was an outstanding realist writer and an exceptionally skilled poet in 19th-century Britain. Throughout his life, he immersed himself in the study of Greek tragedies and Shakespearean tragedies, and was deeply influenced by the tragic consciousness of Schopenhauer. He also shared a skeptical view of modern scientific thought, leading to a pessimistic and fatalistic outlook on life. He believed that no matter how advanced civilization may progress, humans could never escape the whims of fate. This idea became a major constraint on his creative work. Hardy's works are often filled with coincidences and imbued with a strong sense of nature. His characters are deeply rooted in their environments, blending personality with setting—a unique craftsmanship of the author. Additionally, due to his early studies in architecture, the construction of his works is meticulously crafted, with, characters, scenery, and dialogue perfectly coordinated and harmonious, rarely paralleled by others. Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a masterpiece of Hardy's renowned "Wessex Series." The novel depicts the tragic fate of a pure-hearted young woman. The protagonist, Tess, is a beautiful rural girl who becomes pregnant after being seduced by her employer's son. From then on, this shameful fact deprives her of the right to true love, leading to her being abandoned by her husband on their wedding night. Later, in desperation, she returns to the employer's embrace, only to find that her husband, who had been absent, arrives with a disease and desperately searches for her. Tess, in pursuit of her true love, bravely kills her cohabiting employer and, after a brief reunion with her husband, walks to the gallows. This book, as a simplified parallel annotated edition of this classic masterpiece, fully considers the needs of general English readers. It preserves the story content and structural techniques of the original work to the greatest extent possible while recreating its charm and spirit in standard, concise modern English. Reading this book not only improves English reading skills and deepens understanding but also provides insights into certain translation techniques.