First off, I watched a version of this novel on Masterpiece Classics before I even read the book. I think it was the A&E version? Not sure. But it was depressing. And kind of graphic. My husband thought I was watching filth. :) I can't blame him when my synopsis of the movie went something like "Well, it's about this girl who gets raped, is cast out by the man she loves, becomes the mistress and subsequent murderer of her rapist, and is eventually hung for her crime." Awful! I have no idea what made me want to read the book after watching the movie (which I did not enjoy at all!). But I did read the book, and surprisingly I really enjoyed it! I felt like the book was much more a social commentary rather than the graphic soap opera that TV had made it out to be. :)
That being said, I think Alec is an absolute villain. Perhaps Tess was overly trusting and slightly willfully naive. But Alec preyed on her and her weaknesses and her disadvantages; there is no excuse for his disgusting behavior. Scum.
Back to Tess. I thought she was sweet, innocent, kind, hard-working, trusting and loving. She had so many good qualities and I kept hoping that some day I will be as patient and long-suffering as she was. However, Tess was also weak, naive, and easily-manipulated (by Alec, her parents, Angel...). I wanted to shake some spine into her. She was definitely strong when it came to self-preservation. She worked by the sweat of her brow to stay alive. But she was so very weak when it came to men. But I think a lot of her weaknesses were born from the time period- I think in a lot of ways Tess was a helpless victim of her own society. I definitely feel Hardy was expressing disappointment in the social principles that dominated the time period. The differences in chastity and purity between men and women of the age was complete hypocrisy. Angel, knowing what he was doing, spent several nights in debauchery and expected full forgiveness. Tess, who was forcibly assaulted, was unforgiveable. It makes me sick. Thankfully Angel came to his senses but, in the spirit of a true tragedy, it was too late. Still, it made me so angry that Tess was cast out and reviled for an event which was not in her control while men who willingly participated got a free pass. I definitely feel that Hardy pointed a finger at the unfairness of it all, at the unbalance and inequality between men and women. Especially when it comes to the consequences each of them faced for their actions. I found it really annoying that Alec got to claim repentance and walk around as a traveling "clergyman" preaching the gospel. Gag. And Tess hangs.
Anyway, I'm interested to know what your thoughts are too!
I'm with you, Jac. Hardy had to be pointing his finger at the inequality of the social dynamic of his time. Alec totally makes me sick. Clergy in general, makes me sick (as portrayed in the book). I think that in our age, when women are taught that they matter in and of themselves and not just in reference to men, Tess would have been a much more courageous and independent character. It's interesting, isn't it, what society can do to the raw material of individual hearts? Knowledge is powerful. And Tess simply wasn't taught that she could be more than what people expected her to be.
ReplyDeleteI gave up on this one ladies. I'm so sorry. It was too depressing and I was in the wrong frame of mind to continue with it. Now that I've read Jaclyn's spoiler I may not continue with it at all. Sounds like an interesting story, with interesting social commentary, I'm just not feeling it right now.
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