Unyielding Revolt, Helpless Ending

Tess of the D'Urbervilles is an important novel of English realistic writer Thomas Hardy in the late 19th century. Sister Carrie is the first novel written by American Naturalistic writer Theodore Dreiser in the 20th century. Tess and Carrie as the heroines in the two novels are considered as the immortal female images in the world literature.Hardy and Dreiser show concern for women's status and fates in the rising period of capitalism in the two works. In this thesis, the author attempts to employ the parallel research method in comparative literature to make a comparison between the two heroines Tess and Carrie. Through analyzing family backgrounds, characteristics and their endings of pursuing happiness, this thesis finds the causes for the different endings of the two heroine and probes into their ideas, desires and frustrations. Then come to the conclusion that although they get different endings, both of them does not get the happiness that they hoped. Their tragic fates are due to their identity as women. Either in England in the Victorian age or in America during the era of consumerism, patriarchy shackles and constrains females. While the economy develops rapidly, traditional moral concepts still contain people's ideology. Though Tess and Carrie show unyielding struggle against their bitter situation, in the end they become victims of traditional social moral concept.This thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter One makes a brief introduction to the two authors and their works. Chapter Two discusses the similarities of Tess and Carrie. Although they are regarded as "fallen women" because of losing chastity at very young age, both Tess and Carrie are pure and kind in heart. Unlike the traditional Victorian women, they try to get the independence of economy and show their individuality. They never stop their struggle against the patriarchal society. Chapter Three focuses on the differences between Tess and Carrie. They are different in the attitudes towards the value of life. Tess is pessimistic and she pursues true love, whereas Carrie is optimistic, self-confident, and she pursues material happiness. One more striking different point is that they encounter different destiny. At last Tess is executed for her murder of Alec, but Carrie becomes a famous actress, having everything she wants:money, position, and reputation. Chapter Four gives a full analysis of the causes which contribute to the different destiny for Tess and Carrie. Different social environment and historical background in which Tess and Carrie live are the uncontrollable reasons for the different endings. Two heroines' different personalities are the important factors for the different endings. Tess's passiveness, submission and impulsiveness in the process of pursuing love and marriage contribute to her tragic fate. Carrie's braveness, confidence and indomitable spirits in the pursuit of her dream are the reasons for her success in the material world. Their different endings are also influenced by the two authors'different world views and ideological tendencies. Chapter Five makes a conclusion. Although in the end Tess and Carrie didn't get the happiness that they hoped, their modern ideas and progressive behaviors put severe challenge to the deep-rooted patriarchal ideology. Through comparing the two female characters it will enable us to know women's social status, their bitter situations and spiritual requirements. Their helpless endings indicate that there is a long way to go to get the complete liberation of women.