[hardy-l] Tess - as Alec's mistress

[JoAnna Mink]

Like others who have posted already, there were many aspects of this most recent film adaptation that I appreciated.  The extremely hard work at Flintcomb Ash was emphasized by the gray-ish tones, not only of the women's clothing and all that mud but also, I suspect, by some camera technology.
 
One change, or elaboration, from TH's novel struck me as rather inconsistent.  This occurs after Mr. Durbeyfield's death when the family can't find lodgings and are really desperate.  Joan's despair is realistically depicted.  But did anyone else have the impression that Alec and Joan were somehow already in cahoots to encourage (force?) Tess to become his mistress so that the family would be supported?
 
In the novel, at the end of Phase the Sixth, Tess and Alec are talking by the d'Urberville tomb.  I'll just quote the ending of their brief exchange:
Alec says, "'Now command me.  What shall I do?'  
'Go away!' she murmured.  
'I will--I'll look for your mother,' said he blandly.  But in passing her he whispered: 'Mind this; you'll be civil yet!'"
I wish I could remember exactly what Alec says in the film, but my distinct impression is that prior to this scene, he and Joan have colluded to convince Tess to go with Alec, ie become his mistress.  I remember thinking, what? Joan's pimping Tess?  (Pimping is obviously too strong but that was my thought.)  In many ways, Joan's practical advice (don't tell Angel about your past) would have made Tess's life a heck of a lot easier (her moral quandries aside), and I admit that if I had been in Tess's place, I might well have kept my mouth shut.  But this "partnership" between Alec and Joan--which is not at all in the novel--bothers me.  And I don't see how the film's presentation benefited from it.  Still, it's a quibble.
 
Cheers,
JoAnna
JoAnna S. MinkProfessor Emerita of English
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