[Hardy-l] Tess discussion

[Rosemarie Morgan]

I have often thought it would be an interesting challenge to teach the 
different versions  (of, say *Tess*) -- has anyone ever tried this?  I've 
taught the MS edition of FFMC alongside the Cornhill and students engaged 
most deeply with text where "revisions" (bowdlerisations) had been made 
largely because  the cuts & changes forced them to search the text 
elsewhere for interpretive clues. One of the things TH doesn't explain in 
FFMC is the reason for Fanny's night flight at the beginning of the story. 
With hindsight we can guess -- but with some careful sleuthing of Hardy's 
time-scheme it's possible to figure out that Fanny must have known she was 
pregnant (about 3 months) -- hence her flight and desperate pleas when she 
finds Troy at the barracks.

Is the Tess project too complicated  -- what thinkest?
Rosemarie