Available online
Description
This programme examines two of the themes in Hardy's novel 'Jude the Obscure'. It's presented by Melvyn Bragg who argues that there is a link between the two themes chosen for the programme, that i...n fact the search for learning in both Hardy and his hero lead to a form of death for each of them: the fictional death of Jude and the death of Hardy the novelist who after writing this boook turned exclusively to writing poetry. There are two dramatised scenes: Jude's first days in Christminster with Tom Hickey playing Jude, filmed in Oxford, and the scene in which Jude recites the Creed in a public house, filmed in The Crown in Jericho ('Beersheeba' of the novel).
This programme examines two of the themes in Hardy's novel 'Jude the Obscure'. It's presented by Melvyn Bragg who argues that there is a link between the two themes chosen for the programme, that i...n fact the search for learning in both Hardy and his hero lead to a form of death for each of them: the fictional death of Jude and the death of Hardy the novelist who after writing this boook turned exclusively to writing poetry. There are two dramatised scenes: Jude's first days in Christminster with Tom Hickey playing Jude, filmed in Oxford, and the scene in which Jude recites the Creed in a public house, filmed in The Crown in Jericho ('Beersheeba' of the novel).
| Module code and title: | A302, The nineteenth century novel and its legacy |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A302; 09 |
| First transmission date: | 06-06-1973 |
| Published: | 1973 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:19 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Richard Callanan |
| Contributor: | Melvyn Bragg |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Christminster |
| Footage description: | Melvyn Bragg introduces the programme in a reconstruction of Thomas Hardy's study. He discusses Hardy's obsession with learning Melvyn Bragg touches upon obvious similarities between Hardy and the character of the autodidact Jude. Hardy's obsession also with poetry is assessed. Bragg describes Hardy's ideals and case books, reading extracts from them as a guide to the breadth of his reading. This is linked to the character of Jude. Melvyn Bragg, quoting from 'Jude the Obscure' substantiates his connection between the fictional character of Jude and Thomas Hardy. Shots of Radcliffe Camera. Melvyn Bragg describes Jude's first impressions of Christminster. The scenes are recreated on film. Over film showing re-enactment of the novel's episode, Bragg continues his description of Jude's first impressions of Christminster. Melvyn Bragg gives Hardy's conception of Christminster and then goes on to discuss the way in which learning harmed not only the fictional Jude but also the novelist Thomas Hardy. This statement he attempts to substantiate by quotations from the novel. Melvyn Bragg touches upon the development of the novel after Jude's departure from Christminster. Melvyn Bragg discusses the degree to which 'Jude the Obscure' while outwardly realistic is, in fact, the least realistic of Hardy's novels. Shots of Oxford University buildings. The lasting nature and importance to the theme of the novel of Jude's idealised vision of Christminster and of learning, is discussed by Melvyn Bragg, with quotations from the novel. To further substantiate this point, Melvyn Bragg uses the scene in which Jude recites the credo in Latin. The scene is acted after introduction by Melvyn Bragg. Melvyn Bragg describes Hardy's attitude to Jude and closes the programme with general comments on the structure of the novel. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71068 |
| Production number: | 00525_3009 |
| Videofinder number: | 2582 |
| Available to public: | no |
