“Economic Realities, Classicism and Exploitation: a Marxist Study of Thomas Hardy’s Novel Tess of D’urbervilles”

Economics play a pivotal role in Hardy’s novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles. The present study justifies Marx’s views that deriving and keeping economic benefits is the motive behind every social and political activity. The research justifies Marx’s idea pertaining to human nature that life before anything needs, food and shelter and these are the prime urges around which Tess’ tragedy revolves. Throughout her life she had been treated as a commodity, a means of deriving economic benefit. Her doom lies not in her exploitation by the aristocrat Alec but actual calamity fell on her when the family horse, the only breadwinner died. After this, chains of events occurred which lead Tess towards her doom The research unveils that Classicism is the most prevailing ideology that determines the worth of an individual according to the class he / she belongs. Tess doom lies in her deteriorating economic condition and poor social rank. Another significant issue that the research posture is that marriage is considered as a mean to gain economic stability. The research shows exploitation and victimization of Proletariat in forms of surplus labor and fluctuating length of working day.