Friday, March 13, 2009

Depressed by Tess

Warning: I'm about to write about "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" - if you haven't read it and plan to, don't read this post, in case I give away something that's crucial to the story.

I'll refrain from writing an essay about this book right here and now on my blog, because this wouldn't be the place for it - but I do feel moved to write an essay on this very sad story. Maybe I will do so privately. I finished reading the book last night and I woke up feeling depressed. If I was to write an essay on this book, the topic would be something like "The Treatment of Mercy and the Divine in 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' ".

What stood out most for me in this novel was Angel Clare's unforgiveness of Tess. He couldn't forgive Tess for the same sins that he had committed - and in Tess's case, she was sinned against, not sinning. Even when he finally forgives her, he still doesn't seem to realize that he had done the very acts that he had despised her for doing.

What a sad, sad life.

I felt pity for each of the characters at different times - even Alec Stoke-d'Urberville...

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