This blog is written as a part of the Thinking Activity on Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure assigned by Dr. and Prof. Dilip Barad sir. The task encouraged us to explore the structural and thematic dimensions of the novel in depth, along with engaging with critical perspectives like those of Norman Holland Jr. and Frank R. Giordano Jr. Through this exercise, we were asked not only to summarize Hardy’s ideas but also to apply our own thinking to understand how the novel reflects issues of religion, marriage, education, and modern unrest. The following analysis is my attempt to engage critically with Hardy’s text, situating it within the framework of tragedy, social critique, and the failure of human aspirations.


Structure of Jude the Obscure



1. The Central Structural Principle: Reversal of Belief

The most significant structural element of the novel is the complete reversal of beliefs and life philosophies experienced by Jude and Sue. This creates a mirrored or oppositional structure where the characters essentially exchange worldviews over the course of the story.

 Initial Positions:

    Jude Fawley starts as a conventionally Christian and devout individual. His ambitions are rooted in religious and traditional values, such as his desire to become a clergyman and his love for ecclesiastical architecture and culture. His sympathies are described as Christian, embodying compassion and love, which are trademarks of Christianity.

    Sue Bridehead begins as a secular, rationalist, and modern thinker. Her sympathies lie with ancient, pre-Christian culture rather than medieval Christian traditions. She openly scorns conventional religious beliefs and institutions like marriage, viewing them as restrictive. Her purchase of pagan statues is an example of her initial mindset.

The Reversal: By the end of the novel, their positions have completely flipped.

     Jude becomes a skeptic who can no longer profess his Christian faith, having lost his religious stability of mind.

     Sue, tormented by tragedy and guilt, reverts to a rigid and conventional form of Christianity. She develops a deep concern for the sanctity of marriage and seeks to perform penance for her "sins" by returning to her first husband, Phillotson.

2. Thematic Structure: A Tragedy of Unfulfilled Aims

The narrative is structured as a "tragedy of unfulfilled aims" or "unfulfilled ambitions". This thematic structure charts the failure of the characters' aspirations, highlighting their defeat in life. The novel is organized to demonstrate how their struggles to break free from old values ultimately fail.

Jude’s death is presented as a "failure in a curious Christian way," quoting the New Testament to express his defeat.

Sue’s return to Phillotson is also a sign of her defeat, as she forces herself back into a life she once rejected.

 The overall structure is tied to the lives of the four major characters Jude, Sue, Arabella, and Phillotson and how their loves and ambitions are ultimately thwarted.                         

3. Plot Structure Based on Relationships and Geography

The plot is driven by the characters' changing relationships and their movements between different locations, which serve as symbolic centers.

Marital and Relationship Changes: The structure follows the complex and shifting marital statuses of Jude and Sue.

They each marry other people (Jude to Arabella, Sue to Phillotson).

They leave their respective spouses to live together, defying social convention.

After experiencing tragedy, they separate, with Sue remarrying Phillotson and Jude being tricked into remarrying Arabella.

This constant cycle of separating and coming together shapes the narrative's progression.

Geographical Structure: The novel's physical settings are significant. The narrative moves between key locations, and this movement often reflects the characters' internal states and aspirations. This geographical structure helps frame the tragedy of Jude and Sue.

 4. The Influence of the "Modern Spirit"

A key structural element is the tension between traditional society and the emerging "modern spirit". The characters are caught in this transitional period, and their tragedy stems from this conflict.

The "modern spirit" is characterized by a move away from conventional religious and social controls towards individual liberty and freedom.

Hardy uses the novel's structure to comment on this shift, suggesting that while the old ways were restrictive, the new, unchecked individualism could be dangerous and destructive.

Jude and Sue are tragic figures because they embody this modern spirit but fail to find happiness, ultimately being crushed by both old conventions and their own modern ideals. The novel is thus structured as a "tragedy of modern spirit".

the structure of Jude the Obscure is not a simple linear progression but a complex, symmetrical design based on the complete reversal of its protagonists' core beliefs. This is reinforced by a plot that cycles through changing relationships and geographical movements, all of which serves to build a powerful thematic structure of unfulfilled ambition and modern tragedy.

Symbolic Indictment of Christianity - Norman Holland Jr.


critical analysis of Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure, interpreting it as a "symbolic indictment" or a serious, formal charge against Christianity. Norman Holland, the article's author, argues that Hardy uses symbolic imagery and character relationships to critique the repressive nature of Christian traditions and contrast them with other ways of life, such as paganism and a more modern, intellectual perspective.

Key Symbolic Complexes and Imagery

Holland identifies several groups of recurring images that Hardy uses to build his critique. These images consistently contrast Christian and pagan values.

1. Animal Imagery (Pigs): The most obvious symbolic group involves animals, particularly pigs.

The pig is presented as an "unclean animal" from the Old Testament perspective, associated with Jude.

This imagery is central to a key incident where Jude, after his first breakup with Arabella, chases pigs. This moment signifies the collapse of his conventional life.

The pig symbol repeatedly appears in Jude's life in his speech, his defeat, and his general character and is used to symbolize a lack of sensuality or sexuality.

2. Marriage vs. Sensuality: The article contrasts the institution of marriage with genuine sensuality.

Marriage is "de-linked from sensuality" and instead associated with the idea of a "pig-sty," linking back to the theme of repressed sexuality.

Sue and Phillotson's marriage is passionless, while Jude and Sue's relationship, which exists outside conventional marriage, embodies sensuality and a desire for freedom. Jude wishes to have a physical relationship with Sue without the "senseless conventionality" of marriage.

3. Blood and Drink: This is another principal image complex.

    The sources contrast the drinking of liquor or blood with Christian sacraments.

    This imagery helps distinguish between the characters representing pagan (or sensual) life and those representing Christian life.

Symbolic Representation of Characters

Holland argues that the main characters in the novel symbolically represent different religious and philosophical traditions. Their interactions explore the clash between these worldviews.

 Jude Fawley: Represents the Old Testament tradition. He embodies a combination of the "sensuality of the 'Song of Solomon' and the aspiration and despair of 'Ecclesiastes'".

 Sue Bridehead: Represents the pagan ("Hellenic") tradition or the non-Judeo-Christian world. She is associated with a free, intellectual life that does not want to be under the control of a "mighty religion". Her relationship with Jude is sensual and anti-conventional.

 Arabella Donn: Represents natural, physical sensuality.

Richard Phillotson: Represents New Testament Christianity. His character embodies social acceptance and convention, especially in contrast to Sue's desire for a "free life".

The Central Indictment of Christianity

The core argument of Norman Holland's article is that Hardy arranges these characters and symbols to show the overpowering and destructive influence of Christianity.

Clash of Worldviews: The relationships, particularly between Jude (Old Testament) and Sue (pagan), and Sue and Phillotson (New Testament), are structured to highlight the conflict between sensuality and religious asceticism.

Repression of Sensuality: Christianity is depicted as a force that represses sensuality and freedom. Sue Bridehead, in particular, represents a challenge to this repression through her "anti-conventionality" and intellectualism.

Tragic Outcome: Ultimately, the characters are crushed by the dominant Christian social structure. Their attempts to live freely and authentically outside of its conventions lead to their downfall. According to Holland's interpretation, the novel suggests that all characters are ultimately "lost in Christianity". The Christian way of life is portrayed not as a path to freedom but as a restrictive force.

Bildungsroman & Jude the Obscure - Frank R. Giordano Jr.



1. "Jude the Obscure" as a Bildungsroman 

The lecture begins by introducing the concept of "Bildungsroman," which is a German literary term for a "coming-of-age" story or a "novel of formation." It details the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood.

Professor Barad highlights an article by Frank R. Giordano Jr. from Johns Hopkins University, which posits that "Jude the Obscure" can be understood as a satire on the traditional Bildungsroman.

2. Multiplicity of Separate and Detached Problems

The article by Giordano, as discussed by Professor Barad, argues that "Jude the Obscure" presents a "multiplicity of separate and detached problems" rather than coalescing into a single tragic narrative. These problems, which the novel explores in detail, include:

Socio-Economic Problems:

Educational Opportunity: The challenges faced by individuals from lower socio-economic classes in accessing education, which is exemplified by Jude's struggles to gain a university education due to his poverty and lack of connections.

Class and Poverty: The ingrained societal class structures and the pervasive issue of poverty, which significantly limit the aspirations and opportunities of characters like Jude.

Social Problems of Marriage:

Divorce: The societal and personal dilemmas surrounding divorce in Victorian England, where it was difficult to obtain and carried significant social stigma. Jude and Sue's marital struggles and their unconventional relationships highlight these issues.

Repressive Moral Censorship by Public Opinion: The immense pressure of public opinion and moralistic societal norms, which often dictate personal choices and condemn those who deviate from traditional expectations, impacting characters' lives profoundly.

Psychological Problems of Sexuality: 

Jude's Sexuality and Self-Destruction: The complexities of Jude's sexual desires and how they often lead to his self-destructive tendencies and inner turmoil.

Sue's Temperament and Moral Masochism: Sue Bridehead's unique temperament, her intellectual and unconventional views on marriage and relationships, and her tendency towards moral masochism, which complicates her relationships and personal happiness.

Religious Problems:

Church Reforms: The lecture touches upon the religious reforms of the era and the conflict between traditional religious dogma and evolving spiritual beliefs.

Ethical Problems of Naturalistic Morality:

Moral Sanction Independent of Dogma: The struggle to define a moral code based on natural instincts and personal conviction rather than rigid religious or societal dogmas.

Bio-Philosophical Problems of Inherited Family Characteristics: 

The Will Not to Live: The concept of inherited traits and the recurring theme of a "will not to live" within Jude's family line, suggesting a fatalistic view of life and destiny. This is tragically highlighted by the actions of "Little Father Time."

Spiritual Problems of Modern Unrest:

 Modern Introspectiveness, Melancholy, and Spiritual Isolation: The pervasive sense of spiritual unrest, melancholy, and isolation experienced by individuals in modern society, reflecting a loss of traditional faith and a struggle for meaning.

3. Satire on Bildungsroman 

Professor Barad explains that while the novel initially adopts the conventions of a Bildungsroman, depicting Jude's journey of self-improvement and aspiration, it ultimately subverts these expectations. Instead of culminating in a triumphant or spiritually mature individual integrated into society, Jude's journey ends in disillusionment and tragedy, effectively satirizing the optimistic ideals often associated with the Bildungsroman genre. The characters' intellectual and emotional growth leads not to success, but to an inevitable and intolerable conflict with society, resulting in their tragic downfall and rejection of the world.      

Thematic Study of Jude the Obscure


1. Education and the Dream of Christminster

Jude Fawley’s ambition to study at Christminster symbolizes the universal human desire for self-improvement.

The novel shows how social class barriers prevent poor and working-class people from accessing education.

Christminster becomes a symbol of unfulfilled dreams.

2. Religion and Hypocrisy

Hardy exposes the rigidity and cruelty of institutional religion.

Jude dreams of being a clergyman but discovers that religion is more about rules and appearances than spirituality.

Sue represents skepticism and questions traditional Christian teachings, but eventually suffers under society’s moral pressure.

3. Marriage and the Institution of Family

Marriage is not portrayed as sacred but as a trap and a source of misery.

Jude’s marriage with Arabella is loveless and opportunistic.

Sue and Phillotson’s marriage is equally unhappy, showing how the institution forces people into unnatural unions.

Hardy suggests that love and marriage are not always compatible.

4. Fate, Determinism, and Human Suffering

The novel is deeply tragic and fatalistic.

Jude and Sue’s lives are shaped more by circumstance and society than by their own choices.

The shocking act of “Little Father Time” killing himself and his siblings highlights the crushing weight of poverty and hopelessness.

5. Women and Gender Roles

Sue Bridehead challenges Victorian ideals of womanhood: she is independent, intellectual, and skeptical of social norms.

Arabella, in contrast, represents sensuality, manipulation, and traditional domestic expectations.

Through these characters, Hardy shows the limited choices available to women and the consequences of resisting gender norms.

6. Isolation and Alienation

Both Jude and Sue are outsiders who fail to fit into the society around them.

Jude is rejected by Christminster’s academic elite; Sue is condemned for her unconventional lifestyle.

Their non-conformity leads to social exclusion and personal tragedy.

7. Idealism vs. Reality

Jude’s dream of intellectual greatness and Sue’s dream of free love clash with harsh social realities.

The novel contrasts lofty ideals with the limitations of human life.

The failure of both dreams emphasizes the gap between aspiration and reality.  

Conclusion:-

 In conclusion, Jude the Obscure stands as one of Thomas Hardy’s most powerful and unsettling works, not only because of its tragic storyline but also due to its structural and thematic richness. The novel resists a simple reading it is at once a tragedy of unfulfilled aims, a satire on the Bildungsroman, and a symbolic critique of Christianity and Victorian social conventions. Through the intertwined lives of Jude, Sue, Arabella, and Phillotson, Hardy exposes the crushing weight of societal expectations, religious rigidity, and the limitations placed on individual freedom and ambition. Critics like Norman Holland and Frank R. Giordano help us see the novel both as a symbolic indictment of repressive traditions and as a modern reworking of the coming-of-age narrative. Ultimately, Hardy presents a world where human ideals collide with harsh realities, leaving behind a haunting sense of defeat, isolation, and tragic inevitability. Engaging with this novel through Dr. Dilip Barad sir’s thinking activity has deepened my understanding of how literature not only reflects society but also challenges us to question the values and structures that shape human destiny.