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SO… I finished TESS!

This personal response is not focused on any one ‘phase’ of the novel, but the story as a whole. Upon finishing [...]]]> (Mr Macknight: I decided to post this while my memory is still fresh. Don’t worry I will update the rest of the PRs in time.. after the exams )

SO… I finished TESS!

This personal response is not focused on any one ‘phase’ of the novel, but the story as a whole. Upon finishing the novel, I felt so incredibly sad. Sad for Alec, sad for Angel, and sad for Tess. It is amazing how Hardy can so swiftly manipulate our sympathies toward all three characters.

First, Hardy rejects our assumption that Alec is a ‘pure villain’. He does this by scrupulously describing the ‘change’ in this character. Alec’s ‘christian’ phase presents a whole different side of him. Although temporary, readers are compelled, by the ‘goodness’ of this man, to delve deep into the more complicated and contradicting elements of his character. These elements include his honesty and integrity, as he tells Tess, upon their encounter: “But will helped me through it– though perhaps you think me a humbug for saying it– and immediately afterwards I felt that. of all persons in the world whom it was my duty and desire to save from the wrath to come– sneer if you like– the woman whom I had so grievously wronged was that person. I have come with that sole purpose in view– nothing more” (p.241). From this, it feels as though Alec has changed entirely, his values seem to show that he is in fact ‘good-natured’, and that christianity brings out his inner and better self. Hardy, being rather cynical about christianity (which can be seen throughout the novel, such as in Angel’s justification of not believing in God), immediately abandons this ‘righteous’ change in Alec. I was confused, not knowing his true ‘character’ and intensions. On one hand, I feel that his repentance is rather sincere as he asks to marry Tess; on the other hand, I feel that no matter how influencing the environment may be, either for good or for bad, there will always be a part of Alec who is irascible and arrogant. This is shown when Hardy describes that “There was the same handsome unpleasantness of mien; but now he wore neatly trimmed, old fashioned whiskers, the sable mustache having disappeared; and his dress was half-clerical, a modification which had changed his expression sufficiently to abstract the dandyism from this features, and to hinder for a second her belief of his identity” (p. 239). These descriptions give me an impression that his change is superficial– what he wear and how he look have changed, however, the ‘unpleasantness of mien’ preserved. This, again, is contradicted when Hardy describes Alec’s reform as more of a ‘transfiguration’. Again, I do not know how to feel towards Alec, as his change is supposedly positive, but also ephemeral. My sympathy for Alec is greatly caused by his sincerity towards Tess, and his true desire to help her. Her constant rejections seem rather cruel, and Alec’s display of undying determination touches me. Unlike before, although he rejected Christianity and religion, he matured by facing his faults and taking responsibility for Tess’s conditions. His persistence towards chasing Tess is also admirable. He cares for her, so much that he engages himself with care for her entire family. In this respect, his fondness towards Tess override that of Angel’s. Through Hardy’s detailed and heartfelt descriptions of Alec’s change in character, I feel that he is the man who truly loves Tess, not Angel.

Hardy’s descriptions of Angel, in my opinion, is not as deep as his descriptions of Alec. However, the importance of such a character is significant, as it raises many fundamental questions about human nature. His name– Angel Clare, is evidently trying to convey the sense of justice and perfection in ‘Angel’, and purity in ‘Clare’. Hardy’s contradiction on this name, then, is ironic. First, I feel that Hardy presents Angel Clare in a sarcastic manner as ‘Angel’ is one of the many symbols of Christianity– A religion that is supposedly ‘merciful’ and ‘forgiving’. Angel’s attitude towards Tess’s faults is then ironic, as it is in no way ‘forgiving’. Interestingly, Hardy is still able to manipulate our sympathy for Angel by describing his account with Izzy, which is one that is seemingly detestable. I say ‘seemingly’ as his action of asking Izzy to travel with him in Tess’s absence is contemptuous, however, his revelation after being informed about Tess’s love for him is rather touching. His immediate rejection of his previous plans (of asking Izzy to travel with him) is relieving, as we vividly see that his false judgement is one of momentary impetuousness. I really start to feel sorry for Angel when he comes back to Tess, only to be rejected. Hardy’s design of melodramatic plots has great influence on me. I feel so extremely frustrated about the many‘missed chances’, ‘wrong people’ and ‘bad timings’ in this story. Angel’s attitude toward’s Tess’s murder of Alec is also interesting, and contradictory towards his previous attitude. This time, “Tenderness was absolutely dominant in Clare at last. He kissed her endlessly with his white lips, and held her hand, and said, “I will not desert you; I will protect you by every means in my power, dearest love, whatever you may have done or not have done!” (p.304). These words seem so contradictory that they do not persuade me. I am not convinced that Angel’s love for Tess is as deep as it may seem. Hardy’s description of Angel and Tess’s last moments together is, again, confusing. “ ‘Let her finish her sleep!’ he implored in a whisper of the men, as they gathered round”(p.312). This tenderness in his character, and his union with Lizzy Lu later on seem rather incongruent. At this point, I feel that he is vulnerable to the utmost– numb and faltering. And due to this, my sympathy for him is amplified.

Tess is no doubt the most vulnerable character in the novel. Hardy’s descriptions of her mental struggles all cause me to feel sad and sorry for her. The ambiguity about her feelings toward Alec is interesting. “The effect upon her old lover was electric, far stronger than the effect of his presence upon her” (p.240). Here, by referring to Alec as her ‘old lover’, Hardy suggests that the incident which happened in the Chase may not be forced, rather, consented. This is a crucial detail in explaining her attitude towards him in the latter part of the novel. Again, Tess consents to Alec due to his support for her and her family. On both accounts, Tess suffers insurmountable pain and consequences. From pregnant to murder, Tess’s fate seem to be fixed from the start. Hardy constantly drop hints that Tess is capable of extreme actions such as murder. The incident with Prince, with her killing birds, and the story of her ancestors are all sufficient hints that Tess will exercise murder. It is her innocence and kind heart, under such cruel circumstances, which makes me feel her death undeserving. Her pride and values is an important aspect of her character. These values, however, seem to be greatly influenced by Angel, for good or for bad. She is able to swallow her pride and ask to be his ‘maid’, his ‘slave’. On the other hand, she is still too proud to ask for help from Mr. Clare. All these contradictions exemplifies her vulnerability. Towards the end of the novel, I get a vibe that she has ‘lost’ it. “A pitiful white smile lit her face as she spoke” (p.303), this detail draws a line between ‘love’ and ‘crazy love’, or otherwise I call ‘obsession’. Hardy describes this as “the strangeness of its quality, which had apparently extinguished her moral sense altogether” (p.304). Her wish of Alec marrying Lizzy Lu after her death is another detail which is unnatural. “She has the best of me without the bad of me; and if she were to become yours it would almost seem as if death had not divided us…” (p.311), Hardy’s descriptions here reveals Tess’s desperation. It is not ‘normal’ for a person to ‘share’ his/her love with others, let alone feeling ‘connected’ in any way through this twisted idea. What touches me, however, is the fact that she goes to great extents to be true to herself. Her murder of Alec, is on one hand crazy, but on the other an act of honesty, integrity, and love.

“It was quite true: within was affection, union, error forgiven: outside was the inexorable.” (p.308), and due to that, the story overall creates an overwhelming sentiment which I can hardly describe. It seems as though there is a clear line, or a clear distinction between love and reality. This distinction is caused by the superficiality of mankind, the corruption of society, and the hypocrisy of religion. Altogether, I felt immense sadness upon finishing ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’; it moved me so much as to make me cry.

Personal Response to Tess of the d’Ubervilles

Honestly, I must admit that I like this novel. I’m not saying that just for the sake of saying it, nor is it to make my personal response 10 words longer. Mr. Macknight asked me today: [...]]]> PHASE 2

Personal Response to Tess of the d’Ubervilles

Honestly, I must admit that I like this novel. I’m not saying that just for the sake of saying it, nor is it to make my personal response 10 words longer. Mr. Macknight asked me today: “How would you rate this novel?” I gave it an 8. That’s pretty high for my standards. I mean, come on, I gave Anna Karenina a 2.

The debate as to whether or not Tess was raped or it was a mutual consent still rages on in this phase, and we are provided with more information about it. For instance, one of the women had mentioned that there was a rumor going around that someone had heard sobbing in The Chase a year ago. I seem to be more in favor to the argument that, she couldn’t fight back as she was young, naïve and innocent. This was mentioned towards the beginning of this phase, whereby she blames her mother for not teaching her the dangers of men.

There is another debate going on, as to whether Tess was selfish for leaving Alec d’Urberville. One point is that she isn’t selfish – why would she be? She is just trying to get away from her rapist, the one whom she does not love. If she had stayed, life for the child may be difficult as Tess and Alec may fight a lot. The rebuttal states that she is selfish as there is a higher chance of her baby dying out in the country, however, if she had stayed with Alec, her baby’s death might not have happened. Personally, I’m torn between the two arguments. On one hand, I don’t want Tess to spend the rest of her life unhappily, with someone she doesn’t love. On the other hand, the baby hasn’t done anything remotely wrong to deserve death. Would you rather have the baby have a shot at life and live through a few fights, or would you rather the baby die?

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