Moral
conflict in the novel "Adam Bede"
Introduction: GEORGE ELIOT’s novels are all dramas of moral
conflict. She didn’t believe in art for art’s sake, but in art for morality’s
sake. According to Leslie Stephen, “GEORGE ELIOTbelieved that a work of art not
only may, but must exercise also an ethical influence. She believed
that our deeds determine us as much as we determine our deeds.” If we yield
totemptation and sin, suffering and nemesis are sure to follow. We have to reap
the consequences of our actions. Her characters suffer because they violate
some moral code, because they yield to temptation consciously or
unconsciously. Both Hetty and Arthur are unable to resist temptation so they
suffer. This moral weakness results in sin which is followed by punishment and
intense suffering. Arthur-Hetty story traces the movement from weakness to sin
and from sin to nemesis.
Hetty – intensely human figure: The central
character, Hetty is sketched neither as atemptress nor as an
innocent virgin ruined by a profligate young man, but simply as a village girl
who has romantic dreams of life with a handsome and rich lover and she pays
full price for her follies. In the beginning, we find her happy and living a
sheltered life without problems and troubles. But she is vain, frivolous and
emotional. Hetty is loved by Adam Bede, a skilled carpenter, hardworking and
widely respected for his qualities. He is a man of whose love every woman would
be proud. (the character of Hetty and story outline).
Arthur’s responsibility in Hetty’s tragedy: as Arthur
James points out, “A weak woman is, indeed, weaker than a weak man.” So
Arthur’s responsibility is much greater for the suffering and tragedy of poor
Hetty. (Write Arthur’s character and his good and bad qualities).
Their suffering and punishment: (state analysis of the
after-effects of the temptation – moral and spiritual)
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