象征主义在《德伯家的苔丝》中的体现

There are lots of definitions in the theory of Symbolism. Nevertheless, there is one thing in common. Just as Liang Daizong ever said, “symbolism implies invisible things by visible images, implies infinite by limited, and implies eternal by the moment.”[]This concept has seeped into literature, and it has become an indispensable part of some literary works. Roses show the meaning of love. Different colors stand for different emotions, such as purple for royalty. For many writers, symbolism has been an important writing method to deepen the theme and express emotions.

The word “symbolism” derived from the Greek word symballein. That refers to the idea of putting things together to contrast them, and ultimately became a word that was used for compare. When writers want to create a special emotion in literature, they always use symbolism; when writers use one object to refer to a completely different idea, maybe she or he is employing symbolism. An object, person, situation or word all can be used symbolism to convey thoughts. Some common types of symbolism include metaphor and Allegory. Symbolism is used to give meaning to literary works what are inconspicuous to the reader. It is unnecessary for the writer to actually spell it out due to symbolism will give a mood to the piece. By giving human-like characteristics to certain things, and also defining them with certain qualities, the writer can manage to give the novel another level. This may refer to things which are completely alien from what is mentioned in the piece of writing. Symbolism is not necessarily symbol. They can be delicate symbolic representations used to imply something without making it a distinct and preponderant statement. Some common things of symbolism include: colors, figures, animals, letters, names and so on.

It is difficult for readers to understand this concept even some writers use simple imagery to express their own opinions. But it provides us with a method to follow the author?s way of thinking, and try to know why the author would put in a theory. It is also a way that writers play games with readers.

3. Symbolism in Tess of the D?Urbervilles

In terms of Hardy?s works, symbolism is the main features of his writing. In Tess of the D?Urbervilles, Hardy repeatedly used symbolic techniques, which made the

novel full of artistic appeal, deepened the theme and enhanced the tragedy consciousness of the novel. Meanwhile, uses of symbolic techniques made the novel full of mystery. There are symbolic elements in Tess of the D?Urbervilles, such as colors, animals, names, natural scenes and other elements.

3.1. Color Symbols: Hardy?s Pessimistic Thought

Compared with other perceptions, the perception of colors is the most impressive one. Authors always capitalize on colors to arouse readers? feelings and to resonate with their experiences. Writers invariably use colorful symbols to voice their emotions so that they can make readers feel more about characters? emotion. Tony Tanner comment Hardy that “Every great writer has his own kind of legibility, his own way of turning life into a language of particular saliences, and in Hardy this legibility is of a singularly stark order.” []Thomas Hardy, an outstanding critical realism writer who likes using symbolism to write novels, whose works reflect the changes of social economy, politics, morals and customs, and the tragic fate of the bankrupt peasants after capitalism invaded the countryside, which have a strong sense of tragedy. It is generally known that Tess of the D?Urbervilles is a typical tragic work of Hardy, in which Hardy uses a large number of color symbols, such as white, red, green and black, to shape fates of characters and to express his pessimistic thought.

In Tess of the D?Urbervilles, the color “white” and the color “red” appear frequently. In English culture, color white has two metaphorical meanings: ?bad things? and ?pure heart?. When the first time Tess showed up in the novel, both she and her companions who attended the May-Day dance were all dressed in white gowns and held a bunch of white flowers in their left, which implied that Tess was innocent and pure. Meanwhile, color white is easy to be polluted by bad stuff. After the death of horse Prince, Tess had to get relation with Mrs D?Urberville. When she walked to Mrs D?Urberville?s house, she wore a white gown. Since then, the nightmare of Tess was beginning. As expected, after several months, Tess who also wore a white gown was seduced by Alec in The Chase- the oldest wood in England where ruled darkness and silence. Hardy created the beautiful and simple image of Tess by using color white, however, Tess was ruined over and over again just like