[HARDY-Ll] RE: [Hardy-l] Tess, confused

[Jackie Wilkinson]

     In following all the discussions regarding the 'rape' sequence I find
myself smiling wryly. 
     Some members may remember that after having watched 'Tess' on the
occasion of its original showing in England last year I wrote the following
observation to the forum:
     ' I liked the haziness of the seduction sequence in that it was true to
Hardy's own words: 'The obscurity was now so great that he could see
absolutely nothing but a pale nebulousness at his feet' and this for me left
open the everlasting debate regarding Tess as compliant or resisting.'
     I now realise not only the aptness of Hardy's choice of words
'obscurity' and 'pale nebulousness' in regard to the depiction of the scene
in The Chase at the time of the 'rape', but also their aptness to the 'rape'
itself. What Hardy could never have envisaged, however, is their aptness to
my own state of mind regarding the 'rape' after the prolonged, often
obscure,  and frequently nebulous yet always fascinating observations of the
Hardy Forum! Oh, how much he would have relished the effect of his labours.
     All the best,
     Jacky Wilkinson
     PhD candidate, Lancaster University