Hardy's novels were not always well-received by critics, but they have since come to be considered among the greatest works of English literature. Hardy's work has been praised for its realism, its psychological depth, and its tragic themes. Hardy's influence can be seen in the work of many later writers, including D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, and William Faulkner.
In addition to his novels, Hardy also wrote a significant body of poetry. His poems are often characterized by their pessimism and their focus on the darker side of human nature. However, Hardy's poetry is also beautifully written and deeply moving.
Hardy's contribution to English literature is immense. He was a master of the novel, and his work continues to be read and enjoyed by people all over the world.
An epigraph is a short quotation, often from a classical or Biblical source, which appears at the beginning of a work such as a novel, poem, or non-fiction book. It is used to set the tone or theme of the work, or to provide commentary on it.
The epigraph of Esdras is a verse from the First Book of Esdras, chapter 4, verse 23:
"O Esdras, I have said before, and I say it again: weigh my people in the balance, and show me their wickedness."
This verse is a reference to the story of Esdras, who was a Jewish priest and scribe who lived in the 5th century BCE. Esdras was commissioned by the Persian king Artaxerxes to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. After completing the task, Esdras was deeply troubled by the wickedness of his people. He prayed to God for guidance, and God responded by telling Esdras to weigh the people in the balance and show him their wickedness.
The epigraph of Esdras is often used to introduce works that deal with the themes of sin, judgment, and redemption. It is a reminder that God is aware of our wickedness, but that He is also willing to forgive us if we repent.
In the context of Esdras, the epigraph serves to foreshadow the events of the book. Esdras is about to be faced with the difficult task of judging his own people. The epigraph reminds him that he is not alone in this task, and that God will be with him.
The epigraph of Esdras is also relevant to our own lives. It reminds us that God is aware of our sins, but that He is also willing to forgive us if we repent. We can find comfort and hope in the knowledge that God is always with us, even when we are struggling with sin.
> The Myth Of Bhasmasur,...
Bhasmasura was a demon who was granted the power to burn to ashes anybody on whose head he placed his hand. He became arrogant with this boon and started to wreak havoc in the world. He even tried to place his hand on the head of Lord Shiva himself.
Lord Shiva fled and sought help from Lord Vishnu. Vishnu took the form of the enchanting Mohini and danced in front of Bhasmasura. Bhasmasura was mesmerized by Mohini's beauty and imitated her every move.
When Mohini placed her hand on her head in a dance pose, Bhasmasura also placed his hand on his head, unknowingly killing himself.
The myth of Bhasmasura is a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and the importance of using one's powers wisely. It also teaches us that even the most powerful beings can be outsmarted by those who are clever and resourceful.
The myth of Bhasmasura is mentioned in several Hindu texts, including the Skanda Purana, the Devi Bhagavata Purana, and the Padma Purana. It is also popular in regional folklore and traditions.The myth is widely believed to be authentic by Hindus and is often used to teach moral lessons to children.
The myth of Bhasmasura can be interpreted in many different ways. On one level, it is a simple story about good versus evil. On another level, it can be seen as a metaphor for the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of humility.
The myth can also be interpreted as a teaching about the power of women and the importance of using one's intelligence to overcome even the most powerful foes.
# Connection Between Epigraph 'Esdras' and 'The Myth of Bhasmasura',...
Certainly! The epigraph of a novel often serves as a key to unlocking its deeper themes and meanings. In the case of Thomas Hardy's novel "Jude the Obscure," the epigraph is a biblical reference to the Book of Esdras (sometimes spelled Ezra), specifically from the Apocrypha, a collection of religious texts not included in the standard Protestant Bible. The epigraph reads:
"The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
This biblical passage carries significant religious and philosophical connotations. In this blog post, we'll explore how the epigraph from Esdras at the beginning of "Jude the Obscure" connects with the myth of Bhasmasur, and how these elements intertwine to shed light on the novel's themes.
1. 'Esdras' as an Epigraph:-
2. Themes in "Jude the Obscure":-
Hardy's novel "Jude the Obscure" explores various themes, including education, social class, marriage, religion, and the tension between individual desires and societal norms. The central character, Jude Fawley, is a working-class man who aspires to gain a higher education and enter the clergy. He challenges the societal conventions of his time and grapples with the limitations placed on him by his background and the expectations of society.
3. The Myth of Bhasmasur:-
The myth of Bhasmasur comes from Hindu mythology and is an essential reference to understand the epigraph's connection. Bhasmasur was a demon who obtained a boon from Lord Shiva, which granted him the power to turn anyone to ashes by simply placing his hand on their head. However, Bhasmasur's newfound power leads to chaos and imbalance, as he tries to use it against his benefactor, Lord Shiva. In the end, he is tricked and destroyed by Lord Vishnu.
4. The Connection:-
The connection between the epigraph and the Bhasmasur myth can be found in the themes of power, desire, and unintended consequences. Jude, like Bhasmasur, is a character who desires something beyond his reach - higher education and social acceptance. He seeks knowledge and a better life, challenging the societal norms of his time. However, his relentless pursuit of these goals leads to unintended and destructive consequences for himself and those around him, much like Bhasmasur's misuse of his power.
Esdras' role in the epigraph can be interpreted as a symbol of seeking wisdom and knowledge, much like Jude's quest for education. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that this quest for knowledge can also have destructive consequences, especially in the face of societal norms and limitations.
In Conclusion we can say that,..
The epigraph from 'Esdras' at the beginning of "Jude the Obscure" sets the stage for a narrative that explores the pursuit of knowledge and ambition against the backdrop of societal constraints. The reference to Bhasmasur, a character from Hindu mythology, draws parallels to the unintended and destructive consequences that can arise when one's desires and ambitions are pursued without understanding the broader implications. Hardy's use of these references enriches the novel's thematic depth and invites readers to contemplate the complexities of human desires and the consequences of challenging societal norms.
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> Now let's discuss another topic regarding to 'The Structure Of The Novel Jude The Obscure,...
The structure of the novel might be described as the reversals of belief in Jude and Sue and their changing marital relationships as they both go down to defeat. In the beginning Sue's view of things is secular and rationalist, expressed, for example, in her sympathy with ancient rather than medieval culture, her scorn of conventional religious belief, her buying of pagan statuary, her reading of Gibbon. Jude's beliefs are, at first, conventionally Christian, as his desire to be ordained, his reading of standard authors, and his love of medieval culture and architecture show. By the end of the novel Sue has reverted to conventional beliefs, as evidenced by her concern for the sanctity of marriage and her desire to perform penances for her sins. On the other hand, Jude no longer professes his old beliefs and finds himself, as he says in his speech to the street crowd in Christminster, in "a chaos of principles."
This change in beliefs is closely paralleled by their marital relationships. At first, they are separated by marriage to other people as they are apart in belief As Jude's ideas change, they are legally freed by divorce, and they come to live together and to be "married," in fact, if not in name. When Sue returns to conventional Christian beliefs, they separate and remarry their first spouses.
Jude's death as a failure in Christminster and Sue's forcing herself to go to Phillotson's bed are striking signs of their defeat in life. This defeat is mirrored as well in Phillotson, who at Marygreen has fallen to the bottom professionally and who stiffly requires Sue to swear loyalty to him on a New Testament, and to a lesser extent in Arabella, who though she loses Jude does not lose her vitality.
In these changes and defeat Hardy has embodied the theme of his novel: Jude and Sue have been caught up in the modern spirit, have struggled to break free of the old ways, and have suffered and failed. It is this that justifies Hardy's description of the novel, in his preface to it, as a "tragedy of unfulfilled aims."
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