Love Beyond Lust: Sue’s Asexuality and Its Impact in ‘Jude The Obscure’
Table of contents
Personal Information
Assignment Details
Abstract
Keywords
Introduction
Understanding Asexuality
Analyzing Sue’s Character
Asexuality’s Impact on Sue’s Relationships
Asexuality’s Impact on the Themes
Conclusion
References
Personal Information
Name - Bhumiba Gohil
Batch - M.A. Sem 1 (2023-2025)
Enrollment Number - 5108230016
Email Address - bhumibagohil333@gmail.com
Roll Number - 4
Assignment Details
Topic - Love Beyond Lust: Sue’s Asexuality and Its Impact in ‘Jude The Obscure’
Paper -Literature of the Victorian Period
Paper Number - 104
Subject Code - 22395
Submitted to - Smt. S.B. Gardi Department of English M.K.B.U.
Date of Submission - 1 December 2023
Abstract
Thomas Hardy's 'Jude the Obscure' is a poignant tale of thwarted love, societal constraints, and the relentless pursuit of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Amidst the novel's intricate tapestry of relationships, Sue Bridehead stands as a complex and enigmatic figure, her asexuality often misinterpreted as coldness or frigidity. However, a closer examination reveals that Sue's asexuality is a defining characteristic, shaping her interactions with the world and profoundly impacting the novel's narrative arc. This assignment analyzes Sue’s beliefs and behaviors to explore the portrayal and impact of asexuality.
Keywords
Asexuality, Sue Bridehead, Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy. Relationships.
Introduction
In the heart of Thomas Hardy's Wessex, a fictionalized realm mirroring the rustic beauty of Dorset, unfolds a tale of thwarted aspirations, societal constraints, and the relentless pursuit of intellectual and emotional fulfillment in 'Jude the Obscure'. Jude Fawley, a working-class stonemason with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, dreams of breaking free from the shackles of his humble origins and ascending to the hallowed halls of academia, the prestigious Christminster University.
Jude faces societal hurdles due to his pursuit of intellectual growth, marked by an unconventional marriage to Arabella. His encounter with Sue, a symbol of intellectual freedom, forms a profound emotional connection. However, Sue's asexuality complicates their relationship in a society that emphasizes physical intimacy. Their unconventional bond and subsequent marriage provoke scandal, isolating them further. Against a backdrop of societal rigidity, Hardy explores their struggle against suffocating norms, showcasing themes of class, education, religion, and the pursuit of happiness. 'Jude the Obscure' stands as a testament to resilience amid societal constraints, emphasizing the sacrifices in the quest for intellectual and emotional fulfillment.
Understanding Asexuality
Let us begin by understanding what asexuality is. Asexuality refers to a sexual orientation where individuals typically do not experience sexual attraction to others. It's a spectrum, with some experiencing no sexual attraction at all, while others might experience it infrequently or under specific circumstances. Asexuality isn't the same as celibacy, which is a choice to abstain from sexual activity. In simpler terms, asexuality means having no sexual attraction.
Sue's asexuality is subtly introduced throughout the novel, hinted at through her aversion to physical intimacy and her lack of romantic attraction towards men. She herself says, “I have not felt about them(men) as most women are taught to feel”. Her marriage to the pedantic and self-righteous Phillotson further underscores her discomfort with sexual relations, ultimately leading to their separation. Sue's asexuality is not merely a physical aversion but a fundamental aspect of her identity, influencing her relationships, choices, and overall perception of herself. (DePaulo)
Analyzing Sue’s Character
Sue Bridehead is a complex and enigmatic character from ‘Jude the Obscure’. In her, we see a captivating portrayal of a woman who challenges societal norms, and defines traditional expectations of intimacy and relationships. Sue’s beliefs on intimacy and relationships are unconventional and often misunderstood. She rejected the notion that physical intimacy is the sole defining factor of a fulfilling relationship. She places great emphasis on intellectual and emotional connection. Her asexuality is not a rejection of love or intimacy, but rather a reflection of her unique identity and her preference for non-sexual forms of connection.
Her behavior towards relationships can be characterized as a desire for independence. She demands intellectual stimulation and mutual respect from her relationships. She seeks relationships that nurture her mind and soul valuing intellectual compatibility and emotional connection above all else. She faces many challenges because of her sexual orientation, but she remains true to herself. (Hardy)
Asexuality’s Impact on Sue’s Relationships
Sue’s asexuality had a profound impact on her relationships, particularly with Jude and Phillotson. Let us explore it in detail.
Relation with Jude
Sue's asexuality initially attracts Jude, as he finds her lack of interest in physical intimacy refreshing and liberating. Her intellectual curiosity and independent spirit align with his own aspirations, and they form a deep intellectual and emotional bond. However, as their relationship progresses, Sue's asexuality becomes a source of tension and conflict.
Jude's passionate nature and desire for physical intimacy clash with Sue's aversion to sex. Their attempts to engage in sexual relations are often fraught with discomfort and emotional turmoil, leaving both Jude and Sue feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. Sue's asexuality, often misunderstood and misinterpreted, becomes a barrier to intimacy.
Sue's asexuality, along with the societal pressures they face, contributes to the tragic trajectory of their relationship. Their unconventional choices and inability to conform to societal expectations lead to ostracism, financial hardship, and emotional turmoil. Sue's asexuality, while not the sole cause of their tragedy, plays a significant role in the unraveling of their relationship.
Relation with Phillotson
Sue's asexuality becomes a pivotal issue in her marriage to Phillotson. Initially, she enters the marriage believing that a lack of physical intimacy might suit her, considering her disinterest in such relations. However, as the marriage progresses, it becomes evident that Sue's asexuality creates a fundamental disconnect in their relationship. Phillotson is understanding of Sue's feelings at first, but hopes for a more conventional marital relationship over time. Sue's lack of desire for physical intimacy leads to emotional distance between them. This misalignment in their expectations causes strain and dissatisfaction, contributing to the weakening of their marriage.
Eventually, Sue's asexuality contributes to the breakdown of her marriage to Phillotson. It becomes one of the reasons she seeks separation, desiring freedom from a relationship that cannot meet her emotional needs. In essence, Sue's asexuality acts as a wedge in her marriage to Phillotson, causing emotional distance, dissatisfaction, and contributing to their eventual separation as she seeks a relationship that aligns more closely with her emotional needs. (Linde)
Asexuality’s Impact on the Themes
Sue's asexuality not only contributes to her character, but also serves as a powerful catalyst for exploring broader themes in the novel, including societal constraints, individual freedom, and the complexities of love and marriage. Let’s see this in detail:-
Societal Constraints
Sue's asexuality challenges the rigid norms of Victorian society, where women were expected to fulfill traditional gender roles, conform to societal expectations, and prioritize physical intimacy as a cornerstone of marriage. Her rejection of these norms and her inability to conform to societal expectations mark her as an outsider, subjecting her to scrutiny, judgment, and social isolation. Sue's asexuality exposes the limitations and constraints imposed upon women in Victorian society, highlighting the societal pressures that force individuals to suppress their true selves to fit into prescribed molds.
Individual Freedom
Sue's asexuality embodies her assertion of individual freedom and her refusal to be confined by societal expectations. Her decision to prioritize her intellectual and emotional fulfillment over physical intimacy challenges the prevailing notions of femininity and demonstrates the power of self-determination. Sue's asexuality becomes a symbol of her resistance against societal norms, highlighting the importance of embracing one's true identity and asserting one's right to define oneself outside of societal constraints.
Constraints of Love and Marriage
Sue's asexuality disrupts the traditional expectations of love and marriage, exposing the limitations of these institutions when they are based on societal norms rather than genuine compatibility. Her relationship with Jude, marked by intellectual and emotional connection but lacking physical intimacy, challenges the notion that physical fulfillment is the sole foundation of a successful relationship. Sue's asexuality forces a re-examination of the nature of love and intimacy,suggesting that genuine connection and mutual understanding can exist outside of traditional expectations.
Conclusion
Sue Bridehead emerges as a compelling character whose asexuality defies the societal norms of Victorian England. Through Sue’s portrayal, Hardy intricately challenges conventional notions of love, intimacy, and societal expectations. Sue's disinterest in physical intimacy and her steadfast commitment to her beliefs create a narrative that transcends the boundaries of traditional romantic relationships, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of human connections beyond mere physicality.
Sue's asexuality not only shapes her relationships, particularly with Jude and Phillotson, but also serves as a catalyst for broader thematic explorations within the novel. It becomes a lens through which Hardy critiques societal constraints, advocating for individual autonomy and challenging the established norms of love and marriage prevalent during the era. Sue's struggle against societal expectations highlights the tension between personal identity and societal conformity, inviting readers to ponder the limitations imposed by societal norms on individual freedom.
In essence, Sue Bridehead’s asexuality in "Jude the Obscure" is not merely a characteristic but a profound exploration of individual identity and the intricate layers of human relationships. By challenging societal norms and inviting readers to rethink conventional definitions of love, Sue’s character remains a testament to the enduring relevance and complexity of human interactions, resonating far beyond the confines of the Victorian era.
Works Cited
DePaulo, Bella. “ASEXUALS: Who Are They and Why Are They Important?” Psychology Today, 2009, https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/living-single/200912/asexuals-who-are-they-and-why-are-they-important.
Hardy, Thomas. Jude the obscure. Edited by Charles Hubert Sisson, Penguin Books, 1985.
Linde, Zane. “INTENDED BY NATURE TO BE LEFT INTACT’: AN ASEXUAL READING OF JUDE THE OBSCURE.” The Thomas Hardy Journal, vol. 27, 2012, p. 8. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48571148.
Words - 1612
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