From Hardy's Mouth

Hardy mentions in the personal critique of his work that Jude the Obscure was intended to be full of contrasts. He says, "Sue and her heathen gods set against Jude's reading Greek testement; Christminster academical, Christminster in the slums; Jude the saint, Jude the sinner...etc." The presentation of contrasting symbolic natures within Hardy's characters and various settings in antithesis results in an irony of counterpoint.

Review our definition for irony and post on the following question : In what way are these contrasts ironic?

Also, are there any more contrasts you can find in the text?

Pessimisim

Jude, as a character, has been called "the nadir of Hardy's pessimisim." What does that mean? And how does Jude present a pessimistic philosophy through his thoughts, relationships, and actions?