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Evolutionary Meliorism in Victorian Society in the Tess of D'Urbervilles |
Instead of viewing himself as a pessimist, Hardy regarded himself as an “evolutionary meliorist” (Bailey 569). In a conversation with William Archer, Hardy claimed that his “practical philosophy had been melioristic (rather than pessimistic) and that his books had been a plea against man's inhumanity to man — to woman, and to the lower animals” (319). According to The American Heritage Dictionary, meliorism refers to “The belief that the human condition can be improved through concerted effort” (n.p). Meliorism also refers to “The belief that there is an inherent tendency toward progress or improvement in the human condition” ( https://www.yourdictionary.com/meliorism). In other words, Hardy believed that the human plight can be improved through consistent, dedicated effort.
Evolutionary meliorism refers to candidly viewing the human condition - to see it for what it is without denying the tragedies inherent in the human plight - and then making whatever attempts one can to remedy the situation or to improve it to the best of one’s ability. Hardy outlines the philosophy of evolutionary meliorism in the following excerpt: “The soul has her eternal rights; that she will not be darkened by statutes, nor lullabied by the music of bells. Pessimism, in truth, is only a kind of ‘questioning’ in the exploration of reality and is the first step towards the betterment of the soul, and the body. If there is a way to the better, it demands a full look at the worst: That is to say, by the exploration of reality, and its frank recognition stage by stage is briefly what evolutionary meliorism is” (Qt. in Walbank106). In other words, Hardy claims that the tragic plight of humanity can only be improved by witnessing and recognizing the unflattering or disappointing aspects of human beings in particular and of the forces governing reality in general. Although Tess of the d’Urbervilles is for the most part quite pessimistic, certain aspects of evolutionary meliorism can be traced in the novel. For instance, after confronting the various heartaches in her life, Tess derives some degree of consolation at the end by hoping that her sister – Liza-Lu – may have a better life than her. Tess asks Angel to marry and “train” and “teach” Liza-Lu so that Liza-Lu can experience the bliss and avail of the opportunities that were denied to Tess in her lifetime (Hardy 415). Tess feels that if her desire is realized, “it would almost seem as if death had not divided” her and Angel (Hardy 415). Hence, in keeping with Hardy’s philosophy of evolutionary meliorism, one can deduce that the tragedy underlying the Durbeyfield household may decrease and transform for the better after Tess’s death thereby highlighting the inherent tendency toward progress or improvement in the human condition. The persistent, concerted effort made by Tess during her lifetime may benefit her family after her death.
Credit goes to Ma'am Saima Najib
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