I want to growl at Tess' parents
Posted by Kay on September 07, 1998 at 15:33:28:
In response to Grrrrrrr!!!, written by Cheryl on September 07, 1998 at 14:51:57
Well, I guess I'm a cynic. Alec D'Urberville to me just acted true to type. How many men in his position in the 19th century wouldn't have taken advantage of a woman in Tess' position? (I know we do get a better example later in the book--but the Alec D'Urbervilles were all too common.)
The ones who really make my blood boil are Tess' parents, especially the mother. She's the one who jeopardizes Tess' future by first, consenting for Tess to go off to market with those beehives and then, by sending her off to the D'Urbervilles. She even makes sure Tess looks most tantalizing. Talk about putting forth the bait!
Maybe Joan Durbeyfield was overly optimistic and only looked at the bright side, but she expresses her misgivings to her husband at the end of Chapter 7, but never lets on to Tess what might happen. She should be arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or child abuse, or something.
And "Sir John" should develop a backbone, get off the booze and back to work to rightly support his family.
Well, now I've growled and now I feel better.
- Reckless Parents Golda 13:07:21 9/08/98
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