In viewing the relationship between Eustacia and Clym, an asute reader recognizes it is doomed to fail based solely on their view of Egdon Heath. Eustacia's desire to escape from the land which binds her is in stark contrast to Clym's, and Hardy's. Although Clym reveres the Heath as a paradise, readers side with Eustacia for Hardy presents Clym’s view as one who is blinded by nostalgic reverence.Critics often compare this motif of blindness to the tale of Promethus. Clym is a modern man who has the capacity "to bring light, rather than fire, to men." His name also speaks to this interpretation. Yeobright, along with the word "bright," alludes to the concept of a yeoman, a medieval term for "one of high rank or office." Hardy's word play with this name could also refer to yeoman's later use as "one who farms or works the land."
What other ways does the theme of blindness present itself in the novel? How is Eustacia (metaphorically) blind? What hinders these main characters from seeing the truth of their situations?
1 comment:
Eustacia is metaphorically blind in the sense that she is unaware of the world outside of Edgon Heath. Marrying Clym promises her a doorway outside of these boundaries. At the beginning of the novel she held hope that taking this route would bring her happiness and good fortune, but eventually she sees that anyone can become bored with their surroundings if they're exposed to them daily. Fittingly, this stage in the novel is dubbed "The Discovery," which I'm thinking relates wholly to Eustacia's coming to terms with her depression and the cause of it: being restless and confined to her environment.
"Eustacia remained within the bank looking at the fire, intending to go indoors, yet lingering still. Had she not by her situation been inclined to hold in indifference all things honoured of the gods and of men she would probably have come away. But her state was so hopeless that she could play with it. To have lost is less disturbing than to wonder if we may possibly have won: and Eustacia could now, like other people at such a stage, take a standing-point outside herself, observe herself as a disinterested spectator, and think what a sport for Heaven this woman Eustacia was." [p 261]
Post a Comment