The Fallacies of Masculinity: A Case Study of Hardy’s Tess of the D’urbervilles

Abstract

This research paper explores Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles as an introspective novel of deceptive masculinity during the Victorian England. It employs textual analysis to explore masculinity and its misconceptions as depicted in the novel through its two male protagonists Alec and Angel, their attitudes and actions within the social norms of Victorian age. This paper aims to highlight the various incidents that Alec and Angel encounter in the Victorian world of England, which ultimately lead them to take desperate measures in order to defend their own masculine identity. The paper propounds the fluid fallacies in the Victorian identities of Alec and Angel and finds that these fallacies are due to their social consciousness and orthodox masculine behaviour. The paper accentuates the pro-Victorian attitude of the two protagonists who consider England as a land of male dominance and fulfillment where there prevails a legitimacy of patriarchy. However, this façade is soon broken when the two characters inflict extreme manipulation on Tess due to her socially and economically subordinate position, thus leading to her tragic end and exposing their own deceptive identities. The paper employs Connell’s hegemonic masculinity model signifying power, privilege and control as the dominant forms of masculinity in the society.

      Keywords: deception, hegemony, masculinity, victorian, identity