Jude the Obscure Jude Fawley is presented in Hardy's novel as an ordinary, working-class man of humble origins struggling hard to realize his dreams but thwarted by a cruel fate and a pitiless, snobbish social system. ... Part of Jude's tragedy arises from his incurable idealism. ... Jude is impressed with her beauty and the work she is. ... Hardy demonstrates Jude's inaccurate perception of Sue's character. ... Because he believes these conventions he never overcomes his inevitable tragic ending due to this character flaw, which is his inability to think of himself...

• Word Count: 982
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Also written around this time, the highly controversial Jude the Obscure could also be cited as another reflection of the tension within his marriage. Aside from this fact, Hardy's reputation did not falter and he created Sue Bridehead, Jude's main heroine. When Jude was written in 1895, society was quickly modernizing and the role of women slowly but surely was changing. ... Guerard who believes while Hardy wrote a number of compelling leading ladies into his works, he only created two men of more than average interest, Jude the Obscure's Jude Fawley and The Mayor of Casterbrid...

• Word Count: 1140
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

His novels Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, received negative reviews upon publication and Hardy was criticized for being too occupied with sex. ... He rejected the belief in God, and much of his poetry reads on the helplessness of a character against uncontrollable forces. ...

• Word Count: 277
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School