Female Sexuality in Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd and Lawrence's The Virgin And The Gypsy
'Is Lawrence really a liberator of sex? Does he grant more
independence to the women in his novels than his predecessors or just
a little more freedom within confines of established expectations.'[1]
The same question could be asked of Thomas Hardy, who is believed by
some critics such as Rosemarie Morgan, to use female sexuality in a
way that is liberating and arguably revolutionary. 'The Virgin And The
Gypsy' by D.H.Lawrence, and 'Far From The Madding Crowd' by Thomas
Hardy, show a likeness in the fact that both men present sexuality
through controversial female protagonists and question the moralities
and social expectations of their time.
Whilst the two novels were written over thirty years apart, their
female protagonists are comparatively alike. Lawrence's protagonist,
Yvette, faces a restrictive society that was only just beginning to
accept the changing attitudes in female sexuality. Hardy shows a
female repressed by society although, the nineteenth century was
somewhat more constrained than the mellowing 'roaring twenties.' 'The
nineteenth century woman was defined by her adherence to submission
and resistance to sexuality. By emphasizing the physical aspect of
femininity in [Hardy's] unorthodox representation of the female, Hardy
threatens the Victorian model of women.'[2] Hardy's female characters
are sexual and passionate; this is especially evident in Bathsheba
Everdene, when she and Troy become 'lovers,' her passion described as:
'The blood beating into her face, [setting] her stinging as if aflame
to the very hollows of he...
... middle of paper ...
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[2] Heather Dugan/Thomas Valeo- Passionate Heroine / Gettysburg
college- 1997
[3] www.lindyhopping.com/ Carol Nolan - Women's Fashion History
[4] www.educeth.com
[5] www.educeth.com
[6] www.educeth.com
[7] Rosemarie Morgan
[8] Rosemarie Morgan
[9] Rachel Fuller- The Virgin And The Gypsy / Hitchinbrooke school
-2000
[10] Rachel Fuller- The Virgin And The Gypsy / Hitchingbrooke
school-2000
[11] J. D.Chandler - bread and butter or cake: the male characters in
D.H.Lawrences The Virgin and the Gypsy. / Bantam books, New York -1970
[12] Heather Dugan/ Thomas Valeo- Passionate Heroine / Gettysburg
college- 1997
[13] www.educeth.com
[14] Carol Dix
[15] Heather Dugan/ Thomas Valeo- Passionate Heroine / Gettysburg
college 1997
[16] www.homepage.usask.ca/Lawrence
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