[Hardy-l] Father Time

[Pauline Guerin]

After my post being completely taken apart by Richard N, I think I too need
to explain that I don't believe that FT is entirely metaphorical either.  I
think one can read this character in several different ways, and this was
largely my point, (if somewhat hurriedly executed).  I agree with you Jacky
that I think he is certainly representative of many facets of Hardy's
persona and experience.  I also think that you have reiterated here what I
was trying to get at about his lack of faith, or Christian faith.  

 

The idea of illegitimacy as a sort of crime (please note the sort of) is, I
believe almost correct.  Certainly having listened to grandparents in my
family (two of whom it transpires were illegitimate) such a situation was
covered up faster than Lord's Cricket Ground on a wet day.  Even to the
extent that the 'bastard' was passed off as a '7 month baby', surely almost
impossible at the time. 

 

I also cannot particularly see similarities between him and Gabriel Oak.  If
we are being literal, then Gabriel's very name is symbolic of angels, and
solidity, surely this is something which Father Time lacks, both as a
character in Jude the O, and as a mythical figure.  Particularly given that
Father Time is so often associated with the Grim Reaper.

 

Pauline

 

 

 

Pauline Guerin MA

 

From: hardy-l-bounces at coyote.csusm.edu
[mailto:hardy-l-bounces at coyote.csusm.edu] On Behalf Of Jackie Wilkinson
Sent: 06 August 2007 22:49
To: hardy-l at coyote.csusm.edu
Subject: RE: [Hardy-l] Father Time

 

Thanks for that, Carolyn, Kevin, and all,

The more I read of Father Time, and I have devoted much time recently to
exploring him and reading work related to him, the more I see something
similar to what you are describing, but, and I know this may go against the
grain for some forum members, I believe Father Time represents so many
aspects of Hardy's own persona and experience. FT can be perceived as
Hardy's novelistic muse tired of fighting a prudish censorship, or his lack
of faith - or Christian faith, and even connected with Hardy's sense of loss
for the child he never had, which is perhaps why he has no name - certainly
Father Time is NOT his name, it is only the name by which people identify
him. I need to make it plain that I do not think that he is entirely
metaphorical, but, just as in a surrealist painting one sees the
subject/object 'but not as we know it' (to coin a phrase from a well-known
series), so one sees FT. I am reminded too of those critics who write of
novels which lack a proper mother figure, and here Hardy's novel/s lack/s a
'child figure', or at any rate the one we see is a 'presence' and in this
sense  metaphorical or symbolic. 

I feel I am drifting away somewhat here from my original view of FT which I
still adhere to, and that in trying to explain him he is becoming more
elusive than ever. It is interesting to note that it would appear that in
the main each of us sees him in the light of our own beliefs or lack of
them. The one thing I cannot go along with is that he is in some way similar
to Gabriel Oak, and I do appreciate the fact that Gabriel Oak may be
perceived as a representation of certain characteristics or even a religious
typological figure. No, Father Time is something completely different - at
least for me.

Jacky Wilkinson

PhD researcher

Lancaster

 

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