“When they were together the Jacobean and the Victorian ages were juxtaposed.”-Explain.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a notable literary work by Thomas Hardy. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
Answer
When they were together the Jacobean and the Victorian ages were juxtaposed.
In “Tess of the D’Urbervilles” (1891), Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) addresses two periods, the Jacobean and the Victorian ages, being “juxtaposed” when certain characters are together. Let us break down what this means.
The Jacobean Age and the Victorian Age were two different times in history. The Jacobean era was a long time ago, around 1603 to 1625, while the Victorian era was more recent, from 1837 to 1901. When the author states they were “juxtaposed,” they were placed side by side or next to each other, even though they were from different times. In the story, this happens when the characters interact with each other. Tess, the main character, comes from a rural and older way of life, which is more like the Jacobean era. She depicts the traditions and values of that time. However, she lived in the Victorian era with different customs and rules. So, when Tess is in Victorian society, there is a clash between her old-fashioned ways and the modern Victorian world. This contrast creates tension and conflict in the story because she does not fit perfectly with the new era.
In short, we notice how Tess, who belongs to an older time, has to deal with the changes and challenges of the newer Victorian age. This causes problems for her. It is like making two puzzle pieces that do not quite match. It makes the story interesting.