Abstract This paper discusses the life of Jude Fawley in "Jude the Obscure" by Thomas Hardy, and his community's responses to the rapidly modernizing life and loosening of moral standards in the society. The paper argues that society's intolerance to change, the modern life, led to Jude being labeled as a deviant in the society, as he was forced to live a life devoid of any education, opportunities, and privileges. However, despite Jude's deviance, he still aspired to become an educated and privileged man, since he was also intolerant of the change happening in his social environment. The texts included in this paper puts into the novel's context the theme of intolerance to social change, and the dynamics between Jude Fawley and his traditional community.
From the Paper "Nineteenth century was marked as the transitional period wherein traditional society gave way for the modern one. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, a corresponding change in social structures occurred, thereby influencing and changing the norms and values of societies as well. This is the social condition that Thomas Hardy found himself in when he wrote the novel, "Jude the Obscure." True to its title, the novel depicted the life of the individual in a society that was undergoing a radical change from traditionalism to modernism, from the rigidity of norms to the loosening of social standards. In 1895, society was challenged to endure the shift in ideologies, beliefs, and values among people. During this period, society was torn between people who chose to live life the conventional or traditional way, while others opted or was forced to live life in the prevalently more radical and modern manner."
