tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9000858.post4446317785211681916..comments2023-01-27T13:00:06.764-05:00Comments on Eclectic Indulgence... classic literature reviews: Jude the Obscure | Thomas HardyEclectic Indulgencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09773640906287038956noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9000858.post-50265352077253829292010-08-08T02:52:57.913-04:002010-08-08T02:52:57.913-04:00Terrific review! Did you read Percy Bysshe Shelle...Terrific review! Did you read Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Epipsychidion" whilst you read "Jude the Obscure"? This is one of the keys to the novel. Sue Bridehead is a 'Romantic' but not a believer in the "Epipsychidion" free love. Sue believes in marriage for the sake of the bond between man and woman sharing the emotional and spiritual bonds, not the contractual or sexual bonds.<br /><br />I have come to the conclusion that both of them are 'Romantics', but that both are out of their age. Jude is still in the age of Keats and Shelley; he is an idealist that can never find his ideal in these times (modernisation is coming); and Sue is Shelleyan too, but too far ahead of her time, and must only fall back on her relationship with Philottson for her redemption.<br /><br />Oh, Christ this book torments me! I lay awake at night and ponder its meaning; and I think I always shall. As a man who has been through two marriages, this novel means ever so much to me...<br /><br />I love your blog, my friend! You have read some terrific novels. Cheers! ChrisChristopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00428150254760548485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9000858.post-16381961680481045032010-01-31T22:05:29.780-05:002010-01-31T22:05:29.780-05:00I largely agree with the review, and was particula...I largely agree with the review, and was particularly impressed with the observation that "we are left to question whether the problems [between Sue and Jude] exist due to the flaws in the characters themselves or due to fate".This is indeed one of the gnawing implications of Jude's and Sue's sad journey together; Their love was true and genuine, evoking a naive hope that it would conquer all; but it is they who are conquered with a misfortune that is shocking and undeserved. <br /><br />It seems to me that it was a result of both character flaws and the social circumstances over which they had no control (i.e. fate). Jude's academic brilliance was no match for his emotional immaturity and weakness; Sue's intelligence was also impressive but did not prevent her from inventing quacky supernatural explanations for the death of her children, explanations that ultimately compelled her to go back to Philotson; both Sue and Jude lived in a social system that disapproved of their union, which prevented them from settling peacefuly and permanently in one place. Most fatefully was how the social disaproval of their union made it impossible to find lodgings in Christminster, leading to the dispute with Father Time that led to the shocking deaths of the children. In light of this toxic mix of character defects and societal disaproval, one is left with the impression things could not have turned out any other way--that their union was doomed.<br /><br />And yet things could have turned out different had Philotson been more inflexible and not allowed Sue to go to Jude. When Philotson decided to let her go, I, like most readers, silently applauded this decision, because I, like most readers, wanted Sue to be with her true love. But by the end of the book my impression had changed, and it seemed reasonable to conclude that had Philotson not allowed Sue to leave, it is likely that Jude would still have been alive and perhaps even studying at Oxford; wait, one might say, it would have been unjust for Philotson to force Sue to stay with him! Yes, but consider that in the end, Sue ends up with Philotson anyways. In light of this, and in light of the tragic events, one can legitimately wonder whether it would have been better had Philotson decided to not have let her go in the first place.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14810662931806090364noreply@blogger.com