Jude The Obscure

This blog is part of thinking activity assigned by Dr Dilip Barad Sir regarding the novel 'Jude The Obscure'. 

Exploring Jude the Obscure: A Deep Dive into Hardy’s Critique of Society and Religion. 

Hello, readers! In this blog, I’ll explore the complex themes of Thomas Hardy’s novel Jude the Obscure. This Victorian novel dives into deep questions about love, religion, education, and the powerful influence of societal expectations. Through the lives of Jude and Sue, Hardy critiques the social and religious rules of his time, questioning whether they bring fulfillment or hinder true happiness.

1. The Meaning Behind “The Letter Killeth” in Jude the Obscure

Hardy begins Jude the Obscure with a curious phrase: “The letter killeth.” This phrase is taken from the Bible, but Hardy gives it a new meaning in the context of the novel. The phrase hints that overly strict rules or laws like marriage laws can kill or suppress real love, creativity, and personal freedom.

In the Bible, the full phrase is: “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” It suggests that following the letter of the law, without understanding its spirit or deeper meaning, can be harmful. By leaving out the hopeful part, “but the spirit giveth life,” Hardy makes a powerful statement. He suggests that society’s strict rules particularly around marriage can drain the joy and life out of people’s relationships. In his view, marriage laws have become so rigid that they prevent individuals from experiencing true love or happiness.

In the novel, we see this tension clearly through the characters of Jude and Sue. Both grow up without parents and are forced to learn about love and relationships through their own experiences. When Jude falls in love with Sue, they both feel an intense connection, but they hesitate to fully commit because of society’s rules about marriage. They fear that formalizing their love through a legal contract could ruin it. Hardy shows how traditional marriage laws can restrict love rather than support it. Jude sees Sue as his ideal partner, but societal expectations and the “letter” of the law prevent them from living freely and authentically.

2. Esdras and the Myth of Bhasmasura: Lessons on Desire and Life’s Shortness

At the start of Jude the Obscure, Hardy introduces another fascinating reference Esdras. This ancient text states that life is like a “vapor,” brief and fragile. Hardy uses this idea to remind readers that life is short, so we should be cautious about what we choose to pursue. Jude, for instance, spends much of his life dreaming of becoming a scholar, but he realizes too late that social class, prejudice, and rigid traditions stand in his way.

This idea is also echoed in the Indian myth of Bhasmasura, a demon who receives a powerful blessing. Bhasmasura gains the ability to burn anyone he touches to ashes. Obsessed with testing this power, he ends up turning it against himself, leading to his own destruction. This myth warns us about the dangers of excessive desire and ambition.

Both Esdras and the myth of Bhasmasura highlight a common message: if we let our desires control us, they can lead to suffering. In Jude the Obscure, Hardy uses these references to show how Jude and Sue’s desires shape their lives, but also lead to pain. Jude’s dream of education and Sue’s desire for independence push them against societal norms, but ultimately leave them unfulfilled. Hardy reminds us to be careful about where we invest our hopes and dreams, as certain ambitions may be more harmful than rewarding.

3. Hardy’s Critique of Christianity and Religious Morality

Jude the Obscure is more than just a story about unfulfilled dreams. It is also a powerful critique of certain aspects of Christianity, particularly how the church views marriage and relationships. Hardy does not completely reject Christianity, but he is critical of how rigid and unyielding some Christian rules can be.

The character of Sue is Hardy’s way of questioning traditional Christian views. Sue believes that marriage, as defined by society, traps people and doesn’t allow true freedom in love. Unlike the traditional Christian view that marriage is sacred and unbreakable, Sue feels it limits her independence. Jude, on the other hand, starts out deeply religious, hoping to become a priest. However, as he grows older and faces rejection and hardship, he begins to see the limits of his religious faith.

Through Jude and Sue, Hardy suggests that while religion provides a framework for morality, it can sometimes restrict people’s personal happiness. Sue’s refusal to follow Christian norms and Jude’s eventual disillusionment show the conflict between individual desires and the strict expectations of religion. Hardy uses their journey to highlight how organized religion can sometimes become too harsh or unforgiving, especially in matters of love and marriage.

4. The Structure of the Novel: Jude and Sue’s Conflicting Beliefs and Desires

The way Jude the Obscure is structured reflects the complex and shifting relationship between Jude and Sue. Their changing beliefs and desires are mirrored in the ups and downs of their relationship. At the beginning, Sue is logical, free-spirited, and skeptical of traditional religion. Her collection of pagan statues symbolizes her curiosity about beliefs outside of Christianity. Jude, however, is initially dedicated to Christianity and dreams of entering the religious world of Christminster.

As their relationship deepens, both Jude and Sue begin to question their beliefs. In the early stages, they are married to other people, showing the conflict between their personal desires and society’s strict rules. When they finally decide to live together outside of marriage, it’s a bold choice, but society’s disapproval continues to weigh on them. Despite choosing each other, they struggle with the guilt and social pressure tied to their decision.

The novel’s structure, with its shifting relationships and changing beliefs, shows how hard it is to break free from traditional expectations. Jude and Sue want to live a life of freedom and authenticity, but they can’t fully escape society’s demands. Hardy calls this the “tragedy of unfulfilled aims,” as both characters face disappointment despite their efforts to follow their dreams and live on their own terms. Their journey becomes a powerful reminder of the difficulty of living freely within a society that values conformity.

Final Thoughts on Jude the Obscure

In Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy offers a powerful exploration of human desires and societal restrictions. Through Jude and Sue’s experiences, Hardy asks important questions about love, marriage, religion, and personal freedom. He challenges the reader to think about how much society should control personal happiness and whether some rules do more harm than good.

This novel is ultimately a tragedy about unrealized dreams and the conflict between individual desires and society’s expectations. Jude and Sue are both torn between following their own instincts and conforming to the rigid norms of Victorian society. Hardy’s message is clear: the strict rules of society can often stifle true happiness, and the pressure to conform can make it nearly impossible for individuals to live authentically.

In the end, Jude the Obscure leaves readers with questions about the nature of love, ambition, and freedom. It’s a haunting reminder that society’s expectations can weigh heavily on individual lives, sometimes leading to disappointment and tragedy.

References:

Barad, Dilip. “Jude the Obscure.” Jude the Obscure, 1 Jan. 1970, blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/01/jude-obscure.html. 

Goater, Thierry. “The Letter Killeth’: The Text as Fetish in ‘Jude The Obscure.’” The Hardy Review, vol. 10, no. 2, 2008, pp. 129–37. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/45300346. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.