A Comparative Analysis of Social Realism in "Jude the Obscure" and "Godan"

 

* Table of contents:

• Personal Information 
• Assignment Details
• Abstract 
• Introduction
• Background Information
• Characterization and Social Struggles
• Marriage and Social Norms
• Religious and Cultural Influences
• Conclusion
• References 

* personal Information:

• Name: Maruniya Jay B
• Batch: M.A sem 1
• Enrollment No: 5108230027
• Roll No: 15
• Email ID: maruniyajay2018@gmail.com

* Assignment Details:

• Topic: A Comparative Analysis of Social Realism in "Jude the Obscure" and "Godan"
• Paper and subject code: 104- Literature of Victorians ( 22395)
• Submitted To: smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar 
• Date of submission:01/December/2023

* Abstract:

In his novel "Jude the Obscure," Thomas Hardy simultaneously transformed both the gothic and bildungsroman genres of literature, giving English literature a remarkably influential addition to the canon.

Hori, the tragic protagonist of the novel is poor peasant of Indian village named Belari. He is the representative of the Indian peasantry. Indian village and condition of farmer is the central of the story of Godan. The peasant of India like, Hori, is so tightly caught by the landlords, the police, the moneylenders, and so important the ‘Biradari’ (Society), from which he belongs. The social customs and conditions are so complicated for poor man like Hori. Poor man cannot run away from it and never get peace in it. There is no possibility to escape from it. Death is the only way of realise from it but for Hori’s death is not helpful .

* Introduction:

 

• Jude the obscure:

“Then if children make so much trouble, why do people have 'em?”( Jude the obscure)

Jude the Obscure, novel by Thomas Hardy, published in 1894–95 in an abridged form in Harper’s New Monthly as Hearts Insurgent; published in book form in 1895.Jude the Obscure is Hardy’s last work of fiction and is also one of his most gloomily fatalistic, depicting the lives of individuals who are trapped by forces beyond their control. Jude Fawley, a poor villager, wants to enter the divinity school at Christminster (the University of Oxford). Sidetracked by Arabella Donn, an earthy country girl who pretends to be pregnant by him, Jude marries her but is later deserted. He earns a living as a stonemason at Christminster; there he falls in love with his independent-minded cousin, Sue Bridehead. Out of a sense of obligation, Sue marries the schoolmaster Phillotson, who has helped her. Unable to bear living with Phillotson, she returns to live with Jude and eventually bears his children out of wedlock. Their poverty and the weight of society’s disapproval begin to take a toll on Sue and Jude; the climax occurs when Jude’s son by Arabella hangs Sue and Jude’s children and himself. In penance, Sue returns to Phillotson and the church. Jude returns to Arabella and eventually dies miserably.

• Godan:

“What the world calls sorrow is really joy to the poet.”(Godan)

Dhanpatrai Srivastavi, known as Munsi Premchand is one of the famous writers of the Hindi fiction. He is a versatile genius of Indian literature. In the beginning of his career he was very much influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and started to write under the name, Nawab Rai. His first work of short stories published with the name Soz-e-Watan that becomes source of inspiration for freedom fighters. Therefore, the British government banned on it and ordered to burn all the copies. Many critics considered him as a social reformer and titled him as the ‘Upanyas Samrat’ (King of Novels) in modern Hindi literature. He gave a new dimension to the Hindi literary world by depicting hares social reality to the readers. His many novels have been translated in other languages, Godan is one of them. It was originally written in Hindi language, published in 1936. Godan is Premchand’s last gift to the world of Hindi literature because after four months of its publication, Premchand left the world. Premchand believes that, a living person is more important than God. Through the Characters, Premchand highlights social, economic, religious and political issues as well as class contrast of Indian society. Therefore, many critics compared Premchand with Tolstoy. 

* Background Information:

• Jude the obscure

"Jude the Obscure" is a novel written by Thomas Hardy, published in 1895. The story follows Jude Fawley, a working-class young man with aspirations of becoming a scholar, and his complex relationships with women, education, and societal expectations. The novel explores themes of social class, marriage, and the challenges of pursuing personal ambitions in a rigid society. "Jude the Obscure" received mixed reviews upon its release due to its controversial content, and Hardy faced criticism for addressing issues such as marriage and sexuality. Today, it is considered a classic work of Victorian literature.

• Godan

"Godan," written by Munshi Premchand, is a classic novel in Hindi literature. Published in 1936, it explores the socio-economic struggles of rural India during the pre-independence era. The story revolves around Hori, a poor peasant who dreams of owning a piece of land. The novel delves into the complexities of caste, poverty, and the exploitation of the downtrodden. Munshi Premchand, often regarded as one of the greatest Hindi writers, used "Godan" to depict the harsh realities of agrarian society, providing a nuanced commentary on the human condition.

* Characterization and Social Struggles:

• Jude the obscure

Jude’s status as a gothic novel is assured by the many conventions of the genre it adheres to, including the incestuousness of cousins Jude and Sue’s relationship and the presence of a doppelganger in the person of Little Father Time, Jude’s son with Arabella. Jude is a suitably Gothic hero in the Promethean mold, albeit a failed one in his deeper quest to, “extricate himself from the labyrinth of 19th century thought and courageously open the door to a new millennium” . Though Christminster’s walls exclude Jude, they are a conventionally Gothic locale, as are the various churches that Jude restores as a stonemason. Kraft argues that, “the gothic revival is represented as an ideologically motivated phenomenon used in service of exclusionary social hierarchy and religious dogma, and Jude and Sue’s work as Victorian .

Jude Fawley was himself sui generis for a story that was predominately one of terror gothic, for the genre had long been associated with female writers and lead characters. Though male authors and lead characters became prominent in gothic’s second wave in the 1880s, the male characters were usually depicted in effeminate ways— Stevenson’s home-bound Dr. Jekyll, for instance, or Wilde’s aesthetic Dorian Gray—and female characters were almost completely absent from the narratives. Jude, on the other hand, was the first convincingly heterosexual man in the genre to explicitly fall victim to a patriarchal society. “The two large social groups excluded from the educational advantages of middle- and upper-class men—men and women of the laboring classes and women of the middle and upper classes—rarely perceived themselves, and were rarely represented, as sharing either a class interest or a common symbolic significance within the culture. In Jude the Obscure, however, intellectual and educational aspiration form the first link between the male and female protagonists” . Considerations of society’s rigid gender expectations suffuse the story. Though he displays some rather feminine traits in childhood, by adulthood Jude is more conventionally masculine than most prior leading male characters in gothic literature: he has a laboring occupation associated with men, is married, and has children. His life’s ambition, inspired by Phillotson, the closest thing to a father figure.

• Godan:

Hori, the tragic protagonist of the novel is poor peasant of Indian village named Belari. He is the representative of the Indian peasantry. Indian village and condition of farmer is the central of the story of Godan. The peasant of India like, Hori, is so tightly caught by the landlords, the police, the moneylenders, and so important the ‘Biradari’ (Society), from which he belongs. The social customs and conditions are so complicated for poor man like Hori. Poor man cannot run away from it and never get peace in it. There is no possibility to escape from it. Death is the only way of realise from it but for Hori’s death is not helpful to escape. Hori faces all the reality of poor peasant’s life in his entire life with the hope of relies from it. However, he died because of this condition and with this condition. 

Godan is considered as a social commentary. Through the character of Hori, he tries to revolt against social evils like dowry system, caste system, and orthodox way of life. But, the title of the novel is also symbolic which refers the religious belief of ‘Godan’. According to the Hindu tradition, a man should donate a cow to Brahmin at the last stage of life to earn great merit or salvation. Godan translated in English with the title The Gift of a cow. But, the English title does not convey the religious and sentimental association of the word ‘Godan’. For the Hindu, it is not only ‘the gift’ but it is a way to get ‘salvation’ or we can say ‘Mukti’. Therefore, Godan is suitable title to the novel as far as the religious tradition is concerned, especially Hori’s death is concerned. 

* Marriage and  social Norms:

• Jude the obscure:

"Jude the Obscure" by Thomas Hardy explores societal norms and the institution of marriage in the late 19th century. The novel challenges traditional views on marriage, portraying the struggles of the protagonist, Jude Fawley, as he faces societal condemnation for his unconventional relationships. Hardy critiques the rigidity of social expectations, highlighting the impact on individuals who deviate from conventional norms. The novel reflects the tensions between personal desires and societal constraints, offering a critical perspective on marriage and its role in shaping lives.

The novel also explores the influence of religion and morality on marital norms. Jude and Sue face criticism and ostracism due to their unconventional choices, highlighting the tension between personal happiness and societal judgment.Hardy's critique extends to the educational system and the limitations it imposes on individuals, shaping their destinies. The characters' aspirations clash with the rigid structures of society, leading to a poignant exploration of the consequences of resisting established norms.

• Godan

The novel delves into the complexities of marriage, highlighting the influence of caste, economic status, and traditional expectations on matrimonial relationships. It reflects the challenges individuals face when navigating societal expectations in pursuit of personal happiness and fulfillment.In "Godan," Premchand portrays the institution of marriage as deeply embedded in social structures. Caste plays a significant role, dictating whom one can marry and influencing interpersonal relationships. The characters grapple with economic hardships, adding another layer to the complexities of marriage, as financial struggles often impact marital harmony.

The novel presents a critical view of societal norms, questioning their rigidity and the impact on individual lives. The characters' choices, particularly in matters of the heart, are often constrained by the expectations of their community.

* Religious and Cultural Influences:

• Jude the obscure:

the religious and cultural influences of the Victorian era. The novel critiques societal norms, particularly the institution of marriage, and challenges religious beliefs. Jude's struggles with social expectations and his pursuit of education highlight the clash between individual aspirations and societal constraints, shedding light on the tensions between religion, culture, and personal freedom in the late 19th century.Furthermore, Hardy's portrayal of Jude's relationship with Sue Bridehead delves into the complexities of morality and societal judgments, emphasizing the impact of cultural and religious norms on personal choices. The novel explores themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of defying societal expectations, offering a nuanced examination of the interplay between religious and cultural influences in shaping the characters' lives.

Moreover, Hardy's narrative in "Jude the Obscure" extends the examination of religious influence by critiquing the rigidity of traditional Christian values. The characters grapple with the consequences of going against religious doctrines, portraying the tension between personal desires and the moral constraints imposed by the prevailing culture. The novel thus serves as a powerful commentary on the clash between individual autonomy and societal norms, illustrating how religious and cultural forces shape the characters' destinies in profound ways.

• Godan:

The novel delves into various societal aspects, including religious and cultural influences. It reflects the intricacies of rural Indian life, where religion and culture play pivotal roles. The characters' decisions and actions are often shaped by their beliefs and traditions, offering a profound exploration of the intersection between religion, culture, and daily life in early 20th-century India.In "Godan," Munshi Premchand skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the struggles of the agrarian society in northern India during the pre-independence era. The story revolves around Hori, a poor farmer, and his aspirations for owning a cow, which he sees as a symbol of prosperity.

Religious influences are evident in the novel through the characters' adherence to traditional practices and rituals. Hindu customs, ceremonies, and the caste system play a significant role in shaping the characters' lives. The social dynamics portrayed in the novel highlight the impact of religious norms on relationships, particularly in a rural setting where community ties are closely knit.Cultural influences are deeply embedded in the portrayal of village life, customs, and the challenges faced by the characters. Premchand uses the novel to critique social issues such as poverty, exploitation, and the caste system, shedding light on the cultural complexities of the time.Overall, "Godan" stands as a literary work that intricately intertwines religious and cultural influences, providing a nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by individuals within the broader socio-economic and cultural context of early 20th-century rural India.

* conclusion:

"Jude the Obscure" and "Godan" remain significant contributions to the literary canon, providing insights into the human condition and the complexities of navigating societal expectations across different cultural landscapes.both powerful works of literature that explore the complexities of human relationships, societal expectations, and the struggles of individuals in pursuit of their dreams. In "Jude the Obscure," the tragic conclusion underscores the harsh consequences of societal norms and the limitations imposed on personal aspirations. On the other hand, "Godan" portrays the challenges faced by a poor farmer in rural India, highlighting social inequalities and the cyclical nature of poverty. Both novels provide thought-provoking insights into the human condition and the impact of societal structures on individuals' lives.

* References:

Parmar, Jitendrasinh; “Munsi Premchand’s Godan and Its Tragic Protagonist Hori Is the ...” Researchgate , Sept. 2018, www.researchgate.net/profile/Jitendrasinh-Parmar/publication/351547831_Munsi_

Rodriguez, Emily. “Jude the Obscure.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 19 Feb. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/Jude-the-Obscure

Schauer, Mark. “(PDF) Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure - Researchgate.” Dec. 2011,  www.researchgate.net/publication/235941777_Thomas_Hardy’s_Jude_the_Obscure

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