[Hardy-l] Re: Thoughts on 'Tess'

[TonyAshling at swtrains.co.uk]

A fascinating debate. For me, it is less important how innocent or 
otherwiseTess was. The main point, as Joanna says, is that Alec raped her 
and thus ruined her life. Did she consent? No.  Are only girls innocent in 
the ways of the world raped? No.  As Tess exclaimed in The Chase, well 
before anything physical happened, ''How could you be so treacherous''. As 
Hardy said, ''But where was Tess's guardian angel?''. 

All through,Tess is let down by men. She has to take Prince on the fateful 
journey beacuse of her feckless father. The accident to Prince results in 
her travelling toTrantridge and encountering the odious Alec, a man who, 
at various times, has the unhappy knack of appearing in the guise of a 
good samaritan when Tess is in trouble.The parson doesn't allow the baby 
to be baptised and thus receive a Christian burial. Angel heartlessly and 
fatally deserts her and leaves it far too late to return. The foreman is 
vindictive towards her. Only Dairyman Crick emerges with credit.

Although they are totally different characters, between them Alec and 
Angel destroy Tess, Alec by his actions and Angel through his inaction. 
Tess waited and waited for Angel to return. Yes, Alec helped Tess's 
family, but only so he could get to Tess and possess her. Her family were 
destitute, Angel was still in South America, what else could she do?  In 
exchange, Tess had to submit herself and her life to Alec, a very high 
pirice to pay. Only when Angel eventually returned did Tess realise what 
her life could have been with him, and although it was too late and she 
was tied to Alec, all her frustration of how he had ruined her life 
suddenly boiled over and she killed him.

Best wishes,
Tony












 

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