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

[TonyAshling at swtrains.co.uk]

I accept and agree that Hardy did not say Tess was raped, that is my 
interpretation of events (apologies if I did not make that clear enough), 
based on all the available evidence including Alec's behaviour towards 
Tess since their first meeting.,Tess's exclamation  ''How could you be so 
treacherous'' when Alec  first tells her they are in The Chase, no mention 
of any consent whatsoever, Hardy's question concerning the absence of 
Tess's guardian angel. All this suggests Tess is hardly likely to have 
willingly submitted to Alec at the last minute. She either consented or 
she didn't and if she didn't, she was raped, there is no half way point. 
Concerning the phrase ''forced rape'', is there such a thing as an 
unforced rape? 

I must admit that I thought Hardy left the event open to interpretation 
due to the conventions of the era he was writing in, but I think he was 
steering the reader in the direction he wanted them to go and the 
conclusion he wanted them to reach. 

All in my humble opinion !

Best wishes,
Tony



















 

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