Friday, January 21, 2011
Tess
Poor Tess. It's so frustrating to see such a young and innocent soul being destroyed by something that wasn't even her fault. Alec has raped her and that led to the conception of her child. First of all, what a horrible way to get pregnant, second of all, that immature and foolish boy didn't even realize that he had literally destroyed this girl. As the book pointed out, it seemed as if Earth was the blighted apple of the tree, and the whole universe made her fate to consist of nothing but sorrow. Now that she meets the love of her life, Angel, she still can't get past her tainted past. Why does she take the blame for her horrible past? Yes, it is hard to look forward after such traumatic experiences, being her rape and the death of her child, but it seems as if though she is taking all the blame for her horrible life story. The only way for her and Angel to have a good and successful relationship is for her to realize that she wasn't responsible for the wrong in her life and that she can't do anything to change her past. All she can do is look forward and make her life the way she wants it to be. That's why this book is so frustrating: because no matter how close she is to attaining happiness, the darkness of her past comes crawling to haunt her. I haven't finished the book yet, but I am eager to find out if her and Angel have a successful relationship and to see if she finally forgets the past. I dearly hope both of these come true.
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I actually read Jane Eyre, but this story truly sounds depressing. I think it shows us, however, how very submissive women were during this time period. They were blamed for things that weren't even their fault, because men were always seen as right. It's good to know society has changed so much since then! - Dorothy Zuniga
ReplyDeleteTess seemed to always be running away from her past. Alec raped her and impregnated her, and she returned home to get away from her rapist. She did not find comfort and support at her village because they looked down upon her and blamed her for the raping. She could not handle this treatment and torture so she again flees to the Talbothays Dairy. She eventually meets Angel, and her past prevents her from taking his hand in marriage. Angel tries to serve as her salvation and rescue her from her past. In contrast, Alec acts as Satan and tempts Tess throughout the novel and tries to take her away from Angel. Towards the end of the novel, Tess seems to be confident with herself and determined with what she wants to accomplish in her life. However, her past catches up with her again, and results in her death. It seems to loom over her head throughout the whole novel and never ceases to leave her alone.
ReplyDeleteDane Johnson
Although I have not read this book, I know that Tess may have act this way due to the position in society because women literally had no right to claim anything. They were brainwashed to think that they were responsible for the good and bad that happened in their lives. Unlike Tess, Jane was able to overcome that idea by challenging those who put her down. Even though she was an orphan with no fortune, she became an educated women and eventually fell in love with a man that truly appreciated her.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Navarro
I too have also not read Tess but know the situation from reading Jane Eyre. Women at this time in history were suppose to be submissive and below men, even to this extreme. Jane seemed more aware of her surroundings then Tess was but it still was hard to read because of the injustices.
ReplyDelete-Kevin P
There is a strong contrast between Jane and Tess. When Tess fell victim to her society, Jane overcame it and prospered. I think that in that time, because of the social status that women had, the ability to move through society was a difficult thing to do. Sometimes it just came down to good or bad luck when women attempted to move through the classes.
ReplyDeleteRyan L.
I agree that there is alot of contrast between jane and tess. Jane is more rebellious while Tess has more religious constraints, meaning that she feels that she should stick to her religious and moral vaues.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I read Jane, this story proves that women during these times were superior in society. Because of being blamed for something that she had no control over, Tess' other relationships are being affected as well.
ReplyDelete