I apologize in advance that I can't properly cite page numbers - I have a different version of the book and they don't match up with the class's.
As expected after the introduction to Hardy, critics had very mixed feelings about Tess as a novel and as a heroine. Nearly all of the reviews describe the book as unconventional, or some synonym thereof, but disagree about whether that's a good thing or not. Some sources, such as the Illustrated London News, laud Hardy's ability to make conventional readers think differently. Others, like The Saturday Review, call it "an unpleasant story told in an unpleasant way."
Like my group mates stated, one of the main issues with the books, as far as contemporary critics were concerned, was the character of Tess herself. They found her unlivable and, apparently, "The most disliked heroine in literature." I disagree and found her to be one of the more believable ones, and liked her more for it. Dorothea's issues largely stemmed from her desire to do good, even at personal cost. Alternatively, there was Mary, who relied a lot upon others to do things for her. Tess was a strong heroine, often taking matters into her own hands, and had her strengths as well as flaws. While her problems, such as murder, aren't exactly the sort that can be explained away or justified, we can at least understand them. Similarly, her returning to Alec, an action that earned her a lot of flak, is yet another that's believable. As Lauren said, it makes her seem more like a person and less like a bundle of traits given a name. Overall, I feel like Tess was the most 21-century heroine of the group, and maybe that's why I like her more. If that's the case, then it's definitely understandable why her readers at the time, did not.
I completely agree with you. I found myself liking Tess and I think it is because she finally in a way took matters into her own hands deciding that she was no longer going to be a victim of fate. I wish we could hear what she had to say in those moments when she left the story and we suddenly see her with Alec for example. It would be interesting to hear her reasoning behind her actions.
ReplyDeleteGiving Tess both strengths and flaws should make her a well rounded character, which it this century is considered a good thing, like you said. Back when the novel was written though, being a well rounded almost independent female was not exactly the best way to become liked. Maybe if Tess would have just given into Alec's first proposal then she should have been more welcomed by Victorian readers... but then again, the novel would not the same at all... hard decision. I personally would keep Tess the way she is, because she is easier to relate to than the either Dorothea or Mary.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that she would not marry the man who seduced her and "ruined her" already gives her less credibility in the Victorian world it seems. However it was true that the most a woman could hope for once she had been deflowered was that the man would marry her and when that is offered to her she denies it which is a flaw that many Victorians would have had problems with. I do agree though that from a modern view the flaws in Tess are what make her a more agreeable character.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I admire Tess for sticking to her guns and standing up for what she believes in, overall I disliked her as a character. Despite her tragic circumstances I believe that Tess had other options to better herself, the main being trying to look for positives in her life and not relying so much on superstition and negativity which only aided in her demise.
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