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Jane Eyre and Tess of the D'Urbervilles Essay examples

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Comparative Study - Jane Eyre and Tess of the D'Urbervilles Comparison of Thomas Hardy's 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë is possible as both authors were writing in the same time period; therefore both books contain certain aspects attributed to one genre: the Victorian Novel. However its is also important to realise the differences between the books as well as the similarities; the diversities are what give each novel its individuality and make it distinct from other books by the same author or included in the same genre. The first chapter of a novel is always vital as it is essential in capturing the reader and enticing them to read on. In addition, the opening section plays a part in …show more content…

They torture her, referring to her as and 'animal' and a 'madcat'. Subsequently her living situations change, only for Jane to endure more harsh conditions at Lowood school: 'we had scarcely sufficient to keep alive a delicate invalid'. Jane addresses the reader, clearly intoning that she is aware of this higher power 'fate has out-manoeuvred me' yet later on rebuking it 'God has given us, in a measure, the power to make our own fate'. This contrast highlights for both the characters and the reader the unpredictability and unsure feelings associated with fate. In the first chapter of both novels the reader sees how social status affects the way in which an individual is treated: Jane is thought of as a lesser being not worthy of treatment as a human: '-bad animal!' This is emphasised through the use of the animal insults, and because the reader sees them entirely from Jane's point of view, it is hard to see any good in the Reeds. For Tess, her believed change in status is just one of the many aforementioned incidents which lead to her fate. Her family's intent belief that they are descendents of the 'D'Urberville' family causes them to behave differently, to change the way they think about themselves and other people. This belief is the first factor in leading Tess to Alec, for Angel does appear at the beginning of the story at the

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