[Hardy-l] Tess, confused

[Rosemarie Morgan]

Point taken, Philip -- yes it is 6-8 weeks. not 3 months.  But as to 
fetishizing virginity I feel that's rather an academic way of reducing what 
was *once* a woman's only protection against pregnancy (The Woman Pays). 
And with regard to Alec's exploitation of Tess, "stirred to confused 
surrender'" I would suggest that one can be stirred in many ways, not 
always pleasurable. I think it's fair to say one can be stirred to anger-- 
hatred -- shame -- disgust. It would be interesting to find other usages in TH.

Like you, I'd like to hear more, from other readers. Thus far we've had 
about a dozen speakers --including Angelique. -- any more takers?
Best
Rosemarie


At 06:34 AM 1/10/2009, you wrote:
>Rosemarie's message (copied to me by Angelique: I may well have missed 
>others) quotes the narrator on Tess's 'confused surrender'. She rightly 
>points out that the phrase requires a reading of the scene
>Unless, perhaps, your name is Angel Clare.
>
>Phillip