Compare how Hardy s Tess and Winterson s Jeanette are victims of Christian morality
‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ and ‘Oranges are Not the Only Fruit’ are two novels written more than ninety years apart by authors living in differing societies, yet both their protagonists suffer oppression of their religion. ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ was written in 1891, and set in the same Victorian society in which Hardy lived. ... In this novel, it is Hardy’s objective to portray to the reader how religion can become repressive and despotic. The titular character, Tess, is the victim of this Christian morality. Jeanette Winterson wrote her debut novel, ‘Oranges are Not the Only Fruit’ in 1985. Winterson also conveys the same convictions of the oppressive nature of religion, however in this novel it is not highly religious society at large that is responsible for the subjugation, but a community of conservative, Pentecostal evangelists, namely Jeanette’s mother, and her church. One possible reason why Christian morality, and religious repression is a key theme is both novels, is that both are autobiographical to a certain extent. ... ‘Oranges are Not the Only Fruit’ has clear analogies with Winterson’s own childhood and adult life, but in my opinion links can also be drawn between Hardy’s personal life and the character Angel Clare. To the question whether the novel is autobiographical, Winterson answered equivocally “No not at all and yes of course”. The novel’s chief character is self-named; Jeanette. Winterson and Jeanette were both adopted into a conservative evangelist family, with strong religious beliefs and influence. ... After falling in love with another girl, Winterson left home at 16. ... Hardy’s victimised chief character is female also, therefore it could not be autobiographical in its strictest definition. However Hardy had a similar struggle with religion. Born into a very active Christian family, it was a logical step, that he should also become a clergyman. However in 1860, Hardy began to doubt the teachings of his religion due to scientific advancements of his contemporaries. ... By the time he wrote ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ Hardy had abandoned his faith and become an agnostic with the view; “I have been looking for God for fifty years, and think that if he existed I should have discovered him by now”. Therefore ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ can be seen as a protestation against the church and organised religion. A critic, Peter Casagrande sees biographical tendencies as he states “Hardy’s originality in Tess lies precisely in his refusal to adopt constraining norms, whether artistic or theological”. Throughout his life, Hardy rebuked the social and religious constraints of his family and society. He expresses this through Tess in this novel, therefore biographical parallels can be drawn. Both Winterson and Hardy intend for the reader to sympathise with their heroines; Jeanette and ‘Tess’, not with the church or society. They are portrayed as victims of Christian morality. ... Winterson develops the character of Jeanette from the age of seven to early adulthood. As the reader we witness the changes and confusion she experiences, and understand her struggle; we see her as a child, passive and subservient to her mother’s demands. ... Jeanette does not want to leave the church; “I loved God and I loved the church”. ... There is no compromise or understanding with the church, Jeanette is seen as evil, consumed by demons. However her mother does not see Jeanette as a “victim of a great evil”, but that this had been a “wilful act” of Jeanette to “sell her soul”. In Jeanette’s innocence and purity it seemed feasible that she could “love both of them”. ... Winterson reveals the rigid view of the church: that the world is split by binary oppositions of all good or all evil; neither of them is constant or exclusive.