Characterization of Tess from the Perspective of Focalization

Abstract

This article makes a tentative analysis of the characterization of Tess in Tess d’Urbervilles from the narrative perspective of focalization. Thomas Hardy combines the three types of focalization in Tess d’Urbervilles to vividly present a tragic heroine with multi-facets traits: a pure virtuous country girl who is conservative morally as well as rebelling. As the dominant perspective in Tess d’Urbervilles, the zero-focalization offers readers a panoramic view and higher vision of Tess’s character with all-round information, which makes the personality multi-facet and clear. And internal focalization brings readers closer to the Tess by seeing her inner and observes her from perspective of other characters so that Tess’s image becomes more vivid and profound. External focalization is used to describe Tess’s external attractive appearance and at times suggests some of her personality traits. A special sense of suspense has thus been made to arouse readers’ curiosity to read on to know more about Tess.