Oddly, Hardy captures the silliness of courtship that exists even today. The poor little milkmaid dates above her status and wants something more. The guy on the other hand had no interest other than being polite. She covets that which she should never have had in the first place and as a result is unhappy with a perfectly happy life.



The matter becomes increasingly complicated as her inner desire is for something that is truly not real. The more unrequited her affection for poor Jim, the more he shows desperate interest in winning her. The poor sap who stole her heart - or at the very least - her lustful desires for material possessions and worldliness tries to help her in her happiness. The kiss is an interesting addition to the plot. You get the sense that Mr. X is really trying not to fall down a particular path, but just can barely help himself.



A little depressing that to win her back, Jim goes trotting after some other woman. This is a bad message to send. But I can see how that can be totally romantic and effective. Personally, that is not my deal, but there is a certain childlike romance to it.



Luckily alls well that ends well.