ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -In Jude the Obscure, Hardy continues in the form of a tragic Bildungsroman his main existential concern with man’s estrangement in the world. He reveals man’s loss of contact with the physical world. Jude is an existential outcast everywhere: at Marygreen, Christminster and Melchester.

Detailed explanation-2: -In no other novel by Hardy is theme so important. And his theme here may be stated briefly as follows: man is becoming aware that his life is governed by old ideas and old institutions and he desires to break out of these obsolete forms.

Detailed explanation-3: -Really, the book ends with Jude’s lonely funeral, only attended by two people-his horrible wife Arabella and the old widow Mrs. Edlin. Before Jude’s tragic death, he goes to see Sue one last time. They express their love for each other, but they agree that they will never see each other again.

Detailed explanation-4: -The plot is based on a symmetrical pattern of marriage, desertion, divorce and final remarriage. Jude marries Arabella, Sue marries Phillotson, and both leave their mates and live with each other. They both obtain divorces and are free to marry each other but neglect to do so.