The Aristotelian Tragic Hero in Thomas Hardy´s Novels. A Comparative Study

Analysis of "The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved" and "The Well Beloved"

Texto Academico , 2013 , 43 Páginas

Literatura - Literatura moderna

The aim of this paper is to analyse the character of Jocelyn Pierston as a tragic hero. The paper focuses on two novels - "The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved" and "The Well- Beloved" - and is divided into two main chapters, while the latter novel is preferred. The first half of the work is dedicated to the Aristotelian concept of the tragic hero, its usage and the conditions for a protagonist to be labeled as such. In addition, some of Thomas Hardy’s opinions on humanity, fate and nature will be shown and discussed with several sources, as well as his attitude towards tragic heroes. In the second half the main protagonist is thoroughly examined in both novels in order to find his tragic flaw and understand his character.By the analysis of various tragic effects depicted in the source texts the thesis tries to argue whether Pierston fulfills those conditions and is a tragic hero or whether he simply lacks the needed qualities.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

2 The Concept ofthe Tragic Hero
2.1 Thomas Hardy's tragic heroes
2.1.1 Heroes' tragic flaw
2.1.2 The realisation of the hero's downfall

3 TheWell-Beloved
3.1 Jocelyn Pierston
3.1.1 Pierston's character and social standing
3.1.2 Pierston's tragic flaw
3.1.3 The extent of Pierston's downfall
3.1.4 External forces affecting Pierston
3.4 Pierston in ThePursuitOfTheWe l -Beloved

4 Conclusion

Works Cited
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources

• Universidad: Masaryk University
• Autor: Martin Mares (Autor)
• Año de publicación: 2013
• Páginas: 43
• No. de catálogo: V505638
• ISBN (Ebook): 9783346121417
• ISBN (Libro): 9783346121424
• Idioma: Inglés
• Etiqueta: English, Literature, 19th, Aristotle, Hero, Tragedy, Thomas Hardy, Victorian, Romanticism