[hardy-l] On behalf of Rosemarie

[carolyn mcgrath]

Rosemarie inadvertently sent her reply to POTM, following my error. Apologies for mishap again
 
Rosemarie's reply
 
Yes-- absolutely, Carolyn.  The ambiguity is vital. I just want to say, briefly, that I quoted the "gossamer" passage in response to Phillip's assertion of reader fetishisation of virginity. Holding something to be unduly precious in disproportion to its meaning or function is to fetishise it. This Hardy's narrator does in the 'gossamer" passage. So if readers find this significant or curious (or whatever) they are prompted to do so by the text. That was my point simply. That Victorian culture also fetishised virginity is another question but may be important in this context.

"Practically"?  Well I think, to be candid - pristine snow isn't subject to monthly cycles of change as is the internal membrane of the vaginal canal which, in this instance, is about to be "coarsely" scored (I have always thought it significant that Tess's story is divided into "Phases" rather than "Parts"). Well that was my take on it. What's yours Carolyn?

Best
Rosemarie

At 09:00 AM 2/11/2009, you wrote:
> "Why was it that upon this beautiful feminine tissue, sensitive as gossamer, and practically blank as snow as yet, there should have been traced such a coarse pattern as it was doomed to receive..." (IX)


You quoted this earlier, Rosemarie and I thought then, and will ask now, what significance do people read into the use of the word 'practically' in this context?
Carolyn 


Carolyn McGrath


      
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