Reputations in Tess of the D’Urbervilles and The Picture of Dorian Gray
In Victorian England, which was worse: a ruined reputation or death? While death may seem the obvious answer, two novels from that time period seem to imply otherwise. Thomas Hardy’s novel, Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, showcase the ways in which social reputations mattered in Victorian society. Furthermore, both authors seem to be making the case that if one’s reputation is soiled, the resulting consequences are so cruel that an enjoyable life is highly unlikely. By exploring the two novels, and taking note of the importance of personal responsibility, it is clear that maintaining “a good name” was a high priority in Victorian England.
Our Victorian Literature class came to the conclusion that Tess Durbeyfield is raped in Hardy’s novel. While he does not detail the sexual violence inflicted on the heroine by her “cousin,” Alec d’Uberville, a later scene between the two characters helps readers infer that Tess was a forced participant. Alec admits his actions to Tess: “‘I suppose I am a bad fellow – a damn bad fellow. I was born bad, and I have lived bad, and I shall die bad in all probability. But, upon my soul, I won’t be bad towards you again, Tess’” (61). While it’s wonderful that he recognizes how “bad” he is, Alec raped a woman, ultimately got her pregnant and left her with a ruined reputation. Unless you blame Tess for falling asleep, her name is forever tarnished as a result of a sexual act forced upon her. As readers find out, her ruined reputation never goes away. Even after a few years have passed, community members of her hometown harbor ill feelings towards her: “ … she had been observed almost immediately on her return by some people of scrupulous character and great influence; they had seen her idling in the churchyard, restoring as well as she could with a little trowel a baby’s obliterated grave. By this means they had found that she was living here again; her mother was scolded for ‘harbouring’ her …” (285). As a result of her father’s death, and her social standing, Tess’ family is forced to leave their community and seek a home elsewhere. Hardy’s novel showcases the ways in which a person’s reputation cannot be escaped even when he or she has done nothing to deserve the fall from grace.
On the other hand, Dorian Gray is greatly at fault for a soiled reputation and for ruining other people’s reputations, as well. Just as Hardy leaves out the specifics as to how Tess’ good name is destroyed, Wilde does the same for Dorian. After rumors have been swirling for some time, Dorian’s friend, Basil Hallward, decides to confront Dorian about them: “‘One has the right to judge of a man by the effect he has over his friends. Yours seem to lose all sense of honour, of goodness, of purity. You have filled them with a madness for pleasure. They have gone down into the depths. You led them there’” (110). Not only has Dorian ruined his own good name, but in the process, he has taken others down with him. Based on the conversation between Basil and Dorian, much of what he is at fault for seems to be related to sexual debauchery with both men and women. By having Dorian’s behaviors described as vile, Wilde is making the point that like it or not, there are social expectations that must be adhered to in order to retain a good name.
In Mike Huggins’ article, “More Sinful Pleasures? Leisure, Respectability and the Male Middle Class in Victorian England,” he writes that there was a strong push in Victorian society for people to become more respectable. Huggins states, “Respectable public behavior was underpinned by fear of pressure from church, neighbours, friends and family within these communities. Certainly contents of mid-Victorian diaries or private letters often seem dictated by rules of propriety and lacking in spontaneity, with few personal confessions or mentions of non-respectable behavior …” (587). Peer pressure existed in Victorian England. It is evident in Hardy’s novel that churches greatly influenced communities, and in turn, community members pressured one another to behave in a socially acceptable way. Wilde’s novel may not include as much evidence of the church’s role in a societal push for “respectable” behavior; however, it is clear that the opinions of friends were of importance.
Victorian England pushed for societal changes regarding public decorum. A consequence for not behaving in an acceptable way was a stained reputation. Hardy and Wilde both used their platforms as writers to demonstrate the ways in which a spoiled good name destroyed lives. While the choice between a bad reputation and death may seem an absurd question in today’s society, it’s clear that in late 19th century England, a ruined reputation may have been just as traumatic of an option as death.
Works Cited:
Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Ed. Joslyn Pine. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 2001. Print.
Huggins, Mike. “More Sinful Pleasures? Leisure, Respectability and the Male Middle Class in Victorian England.” Journal of Social History 33.2 (2000): 585-600. Web. 30 Nov. 2014.
Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Ed. Philip Smith. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1993. Print.