When Tess becomes pregnant by Alec Stoke D'Uberville, is it a seduction or is it a rape!? It's not clear from the book, not clear to me at any event!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
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Position:Home>Books & Authors> In Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Ubervilles...?Question: In Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Ubervilles!.!.!.!? When Tess becomes pregnant by Alec Stoke D'Uberville, is it a seduction or is it a rape!? It's not clear from the book, not clear to me at any event!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: It's purposelly not clear!. It's up to the reader to decide!. There definitely was seduction involved!.!.!. but how much was she knowingly consented to and how much she was pressured into it is left unsaid!. He was very charming, and she was pretty naive, and in a vulnerable position - exhausted and lost in the fog, with only him to protect and warm her!.!.!. it's easy for one thing to lead to another!. In those days, men didn't always take "no" for an answer!. Another character later remarks that someone "heard sobbing in the Chase that night," hinting that Tess was the one sobbing!.!.!. but was *during* a forced act, or *after*, when she realizes the mistake she's made!? So, yes, it's deliberately unclear!. Personally, I think she wasn't really willing, but was pressured and cajoled into it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Open to discussion, although when I 'did' Tess for 'A' level in the early 60s, it was not up for discussion!. Our English teacher asked us to list the aspects of chance in the book - for instance that Tess's letter to Angel went under the carpet and was not found!. We all said that it was chance that Tess became pregnant!. Our teacher was shocked!. She said, 'But, girls, you do know what happened in the woods don't you!?' The whole class replied, in chorus, 'Yes, but it was still chance that she became pregnant!.' Poor woman!. She was non-plussed and suggested we consult the biology teacher (also a spinster)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I think it is meant not to be clear, though when her husband confesses his sin it is clearly a "seduction" and Tess says it is the "same thing" as her sin!. Though maybe if she were raped she would still say that because back then the woman was blamed!.Www@QuestionHome@Com it is a classic book!. back when it was written i dont think writers liked to use the word rape!. in my mind he did take advantage of her, which could be construed as rape!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Not a rape!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |