1. Tess of the D’Urbervilles Term 5 Lesson 1 Learning objectives: 1.Revise AO4 context ‘women and society’ 2.Discuss chapters 22 (XXII) & 23 (XXIII) in The Rally 3.How are relationships shown as fertile ground for involuntary, intense and overwhelming emotional response? Is this a positive or a negative subject to read about?

2. Women and society (AO4 context of production)

3. Victorian England Queen Victoria ‘Queen of the hearth’ In a letter (1870) ‘wicked folly of Woman’s Rights’ Early 1837-51 Mid 1851-75 Late 1875-1901

4. Women inhabited the domestic sphere Only 1/3 women in employment at any time in Victorian era Men were explorers, rulers and discoverers

5. Changes to women’s employment prospects… By 1901 there were 212 female doctors, 140 dentists, 6 architects and 3 vets By 1875 women’s universities formed and nursing and social work opportunities (not just governess work or housekeeping) By 1901 clerical work and women involved in politics

6. How might Darwin’s theory of ‘survival of the fittest’ reinforced gender inequality?

7. Women = moral guardians Ruskin (1865) ‘she must be enduringly, incorruptibly good’

8. No sex education provided – how may this have been political? Erotic desire = shamelful Ideal woman = passionless

9. Hypocrisy and inequality of attitudes towards sexuality Male sexuality = natural (encouraged outside of marriage but only with women…?) Female sexual desire = medical symptom of ‘hysteria’ (could result in being committed to an asylum / forced hysterectomy)

10. Hypocrisy extended to divorce law How? Quote? Joanna Devereaux: Angel is ‘by no means the chivalrous, disinterested lover that Tess imagines, but a snob, hypocrite, misogynist and an impractical dreamer’

11. Victorian ideal of feminine self- sacrifice Read from ‘Don’t they look pretty?’ to the end of the chapter. How do we see this in action at Talbothays in Chapter 2 in spite of the growing love felt between Tess and Angel?

12. Theme of sacrifice Where else in the novel do we see Tess as a sacrificial victim? How is this foreshadowed in the imagery of Tess at the May dance?

13. Can Hardy’s novel be considered explicitly political or is it merely a pastoral tragedy following the misfortunes of an individual? Kathleen Blake ‘ Tess is both an individual and an ‘everywoman’ In the title, Hardy writes about… In the subtitle, ‘A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented’ (revised single edition 1891), Hardy writes about….

14. Chapter 23 What do we know about the flood scene which is of historical and literary interest? How is this scene comic? How is the passion between Tess and Angel conveyed in this moment?

15. Ch. 34 Link to the aftermath of the wedding when Jonathan a servant from Talbothays brings news of Izz, Retty and Marian? (Ch34) What is hardy saying about the passions which love ignites? Can you link this to Tess’ letter to Angel in Ch.48?

16. Ch.40 What do we learn about friendship and loyalty from Izz, Retty and Marian?