Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Victorian era (1837-1901) was a period of significant social and economic change in Britain, yet it was also marked by rigid social hierarchies and restrictive gender roles. Women were largely confined to the domestic sphere, expected to embody piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity – the ‘Angel in the House’ ideal. Their legal and economic rights were severely limited, and their social standing was heavily dependent on their reputation. Both George Eliot’s *The Mill on the Floss* (1861) and Thomas Hardy’s *Tess of the d'Urbervilles* (1891) offer poignant portrayals of women struggling against these constraints, though their experiences and outcomes differ significantly, reflecting nuances within Victorian society. This essay will analyze the position of women in the Victorian era through a comparative study of Maggie Tulliver and Tess Durbeyfield.
The Victorian Context: Constraints and Expectations
Victorian society imposed strict moral codes on women, particularly concerning sexuality and reputation. A woman’s ‘fallen’ status – loss of virginity outside marriage – could lead to social ostracism and economic hardship. Education for women was limited, primarily focused on skills deemed suitable for domestic life. The Married Women’s Property Acts (1870, 1882) began to grant women some control over their own property, but significant legal inequalities persisted. Social class played a crucial role; upper-class women faced different expectations and constraints than those from working-class backgrounds.
Maggie Tulliver: Intelligence and Societal Expectations
Maggie Tulliver, in *The Mill on the Floss*, is a highly intelligent and passionate woman trapped within the confines of a provincial, patriarchal society. Her intellectual curiosity and rebellious spirit clash with the expectations placed upon her as a woman. She is denied access to the same educational opportunities as her brother, Tom, and is constantly criticized for her unconventional behavior. Her relationship with Stephen Guest, though ambiguous, leads to her social ruin. Maggie’s tragedy lies in her inability to reconcile her desires with the rigid moral code of her community. Her death during the flood can be interpreted as a symbolic release from the constraints that suffocated her.
Tess Durbeyfield: Victim of Circumstance and Social Hypocrisy
Tess Durbeyfield, in *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*, represents a different facet of the Victorian woman’s plight. She is a working-class girl burdened by her family’s poverty and the consequences of a sexual assault by Alec d'Urberville. Tess is repeatedly victimized by societal hypocrisy and the double standards applied to men and women. Her ‘fall’ is not a matter of choice but a consequence of circumstance and exploitation. Unlike Maggie, Tess actively attempts to rebuild her life, but she is constantly haunted by her past. Her eventual murder of Alec and subsequent execution highlight the brutal consequences of Victorian morality for women who transgressed its boundaries.
Comparative Analysis: Agency and Fate
While both Maggie and Tess suffer due to societal constraints, their experiences differ in terms of agency and fate. Maggie possesses a greater degree of intellectual and emotional agency, actively seeking fulfillment and challenging societal norms, albeit within limited parameters. Her downfall is more a result of internal conflict and a flawed judgment. Tess, on the other hand, is largely a victim of circumstance, her fate determined by the actions of others and the harsh realities of her social position. Both novels critique the Victorian obsession with female purity and the devastating consequences of its violation. However, Hardy’s portrayal is arguably more overtly critical of the social structures that condemn Tess, while Eliot’s focuses more on the internal struggles of an individual within those structures.
| Feature | Maggie Tulliver | Tess Durbeyfield |
|---|---|---|
| Social Class | Middle Class (declining gentry) | Working Class (rural peasantry) |
| Agency | Greater degree of intellectual and emotional agency | Largely a victim of circumstance |
| Nature of ‘Fall’ | Social transgression (ambiguous relationship) | Sexual assault and exploitation |
| Outcome | Death during a flood (symbolic release) | Execution |
Conclusion
Both *The Mill on the Floss* and *Tess of the d'Urbervilles* offer powerful critiques of the Victorian era’s restrictive treatment of women. Through the tragic fates of Maggie Tulliver and Tess Durbeyfield, Eliot and Hardy expose the hypocrisy, double standards, and limited opportunities available to women. While their experiences differ based on social class and individual agency, both novels underscore the devastating consequences of a society that prioritized female purity above all else. These narratives continue to resonate today, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of challenging societal norms that limit individual freedom and potential.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.