Help! Did I miss something?

Posted by Kay on September 11, 1998 at 10:58:53:

In response to She stayed because..., written by Golda on September 11, 1998 at 10:34:04

] I thought for sure that it was rape. Tess didn't like or trust Alec, why would she consent to sex with him? She barely knew what it was.

I wanted to read the review of the upcoming A & E presentation on "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" so I went out and bought the New York Times. The review shows a smiling, relaxed Tess in the horse cart next to Alec. The review claimed she was raped (in the presentation, at least). But it says, "Her attraction to him allows her to feel responsible, to hate herself, as she says later, 'for her weakness.'"

Now, I'm at the end of Phase the 6th, and my memory may be going, but I don't remember any attraction. I remember her feelings of dismay, confusion, mistrust, and uneasiness. She probably felt relief at first when Alec rescued her from the drunken mob, but that soon evaporated. It seemed to me she felt repulsed, but wasn't sure how much she owed to her employer.

I'm not knocking the production if it differs from the book. I am open minded enough to see how a dramatization works on its own terms, and don't necessary require a slavish following of the book. But I'm wondering. . . did I miss Tess's attraction to Alec?

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REPLIES:

• Don't think so, but I must have! Cheryl 11:12:43 9/11/98 (6)
  • Not attracted but dazzled Constanza 11:29:33 9/11/98 (5)
    • My theory Kay 21:30:56 9/11/98 (3)
      • double standard Barbara 22:53:36 9/13/98 (2)
        • I agree Lesley 23:13:31 9/13/98 (1)
          • Yes, well into the 20th century Jane 14:40:33 9/14/98 (0)
    • Thanks! That makes sense. (nfm) Cheryl 13:52:09 9/11/98 (0)

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