[hardy-l] More on the ending to Tess of the D'Urbervilles

[Rosemarie Morgan]

Problem is, Paul, that all of this has been discussed before and only  few 
weeks ago so I'm reluctant to repeat myself.

But in brief, I think Hardy reveals a strong streak of rage in Tess., of 
pride, resentment and sensitivity to insult (hitting Alec with the gauntlet 
- hard enough to draw blood? ), not to mention her capacity to rebound, 
actively, after tragic circumstances have hit her (her baby dies) and even 
sexual assault -- which she bears most couragously and then moves on. 
Several male critics (in the earlier discussion) felt that Tess wasn't 
traumatised by Alec's appropriation of her in the Chase but I think that 
simply shows a lack of understanding.   Not only is the "first time"often 
painful, physically and emotionally, for young girls (Tess is described by 
Hardy as still a child in many ways), but if it's the case that the 
sleeping Tess was taken unawares and unready, unprepared, then chances are 
she was seriously damaged by the event.

So - yes -- brave, courageous, capable of violence  -- and certainly 
capable of killing. Didn't she wring the necks of the dying birds or did I 
imagine that? .

But to avoid repeating what has been discussed in full, I will rest here.

All the very best,

Rosemarie
>Rosemarie...
>
>Your reply reminds me of how attempts at humor or irony by those who have 
>been "educated" (your email says' Yale)  above and beyond those that they 
>think are looking to them for answers to their questions fall flat.