Jude The Obscure - Book One At Marygreen (week 1)

[Helen_in_the_uk]

Just finished book 1. I thought quick separations/divorces were a modern phenomenon, but Jude and Arabella can only have been married a matter of months!

I like Jude so far. He may have been foolish to get entrapped by Arabella, but he did the right thing by her. Firstly by marrying her, then by providing the best home he could, then by sending all his money to her when she leaves. I also liked the way he handled the pig killing.

Can't wait to see what will happen to him now he is 'back on track' with his ambitions.

[Renee, Moderator]

I'm up to Chapter Four and so far have spent time only with the very young, very lonely Jude Frawley. At this point in the story his desire for Christminister seems born more out of his loneliness than a desire for learning, or to better himself, or out of religious feeling. He longs for this place, because it is the home of the one person who showed him some positive attention and interest. It seems to quickly come to represent a place where he might "fit in" and be accepted. The other desires grow out of this, or develop as he learns more about the place.

I feel so sorry for the poor unwanted child. He is quite pathetic in his longing for the Place he has conjured in his mind.

Also, the physic peddler was an interesting study. Jude has shown that he can learn from his mistakes, as he chooses not the taken in by the the greedy, false man.

[Bharathi]

I have only finished the first part now. Hardy has so many clues in the novel that makes it impossible to read it fast. I have enjoyed it very much so far. I wad just reading through the discussion. This was a my take on the book. All the characters are simple village folk. Not too much sophistication in them. I don't think that Arabella was a horrible person. She was just following her instincts. She found a good guy and set out to lure him and he got caught. So far she was successful. Jude was not what she expected, so she has an unhappy marriage and she gets out of it as she is able to. I think Hardy sets up Jude to behave this way. He is an orphan, nobody cares very much about him. His aunt is a nominal presence in his life. He is into books and knowledge. He lacks the street smartness to avoid the likes of Arabella which leads him to trapped in a sad situation. Hardy sets the place and character very nicely. Looking forward to what will come next.

[Kate]

Everyman wrote: "Does anybody else see echoes of Adam and Eve in the Jude and Arabella relationship?

The innocent man led astray by the scheming woman -- it is such a hackneyed theme, and yet Hardy really seems t..."

I didn't think of it before, but yes I believe it is reminiscent of Adam and Eve.

I smirked when Jude and Arabella sat down in the pub and there was a painting of Samson and Delilah. It immediately struck me as foreshadowing. Hair was obviously replaced by his books.

[Kate]

Hello all. I'm joining in this discussion a bit late. I've just started reading the book today. It's my first Hardy read (even though I have 5 of his books, unread) but I'm really enjoying it so far. I hope to get in on the next discussion, earlier on. :)

[Peter]

Kate wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Does anybody else see echoes of Adam and Eve in the Jude and Arabella relationship?

The innocent man led astray by the scheming woman -- it is such a hackneyed theme, and yet Har..."

Hi Kate

Yes, I like that, and never thought of that setting in the terms you have framed it. Hair and books. Hardy offers some wonderful symbols, images and foreshadowing in this novel. There are some I even get myself! Thanks

[Lisa]

Jude initially reminds me of Dickens's Pip Pirip, although he has no benefactor. Although lonely, he is responsible.
When this book was written, was being trapped into a loveless marriage as hackneyed as it is now? And were separations like these common?
I love reading Hardy, but I read to savor the book and with a sense of foreboding.

[Renee, Moderator]

I've been thinking about all the hard work and diligence this young man had put into making his dreams come true. He increased his aunt's baking business, then taught himself stone working, buys books with every penny he earns, and is teaching himself to read Greek and Latin so he can study the classics. Still, for all his hard work, he is young and human and lonely. (I loved the painting of Samson and Delilah in the public house, too.)

But, I feel empathy for Arabella as well. She really does seem taken with him. Really does seem desperate for his love and attention. Unfortunately, she jumps on the plan of her friends to trap him, without thinking about the repercussions for this person she says she loves. (Yes, Jude can certainly have said no. I'm not suggesting that he has no responsibility.) Arabella is completely wrapped up in what she wants and her plans to get it. I find her quite believable as a character. Life has shown me lots of men and women who are like this. Who are willing to lie and manipulate and misrepresent themselves to attain their own ends.

[Lisa]

Renee wrote: "I've been thinking about all the hard work and diligence this young man had put into making his dreams come true. He increased his aunt's baking business, then taught himself stone working, buys bo..."

Well put.

[Kate]

Renee wrote: "I've been thinking about all the hard work and diligence this young man had put into making his dreams come true. He increased his aunt's baking business, then taught himself stone working, buys bo..."

Hi Renee

I agree about Arabella being a completely believable character, in our times too. I wonder, had she not had her friends around, what would have happened?

However, at the end of the day, I think Jude's goals are too much, for a relationship with any woman to work. He wants an education and all I can say is "good on him!"

I also sympathise with the whole family's apparent inability to live (under one roof) happily in a relationship. Independence is a strong force for some people.

[Everyman]

Kate wrote: "I agree about Arabella being a completely believable character, in our times too. "

Perhaps even more so than some might think.

Story just today on CBS New York:

Used positive pregnancy tests can be found for sale all over the Internet.

And as CBS 2’s Alice Gainer reported, those involved said people are snapping them up – with less-than-ethical motivations.

One mother from Dallas did not want her identity revealed, but she does want people to buy her positive pregnancy tests. She talked about one woman who took her up on the offer.

“She wanted to trick him into thinking she was pregnant, so he would drop everything so I gave her two tests,” the woman said.

Buying and selling others’ pregnancy tests is the latest trend on the Internet. Those involved in the trade said the buyers’ motive is often to trap a man – and that is not all.

“Ninety-five percent of the girls just want to lie to get a man,” the seller said.

Bringing Hardy into the 21st century.

[Lily]

Everyman wrote: "...Bringing Hardy into the 21st century...."

How sad! The message to me is that we still have things to learn about raising the girls and supporting the young women in our midst. But, maybe there is a message here, too, about our boys and young men insofar as relationships are concerned.

[Michaela]

One thing that reminded me of The Woodlanders, which I recently read, is the scene with Arabella´s false hair. When Jude detects it, he seems disappointed by her, which is similar to a scene in The Woodlanders. It´s a sign of the falseness of women confronting men.