Jude the Obscure - Part II

[Alana]

Discuss Part II.

[Alana]

Poor Jude just can't seem to make it in love! Bound by a marriage that it sounds like he's not able to terminate, both by religious convention and, probably, by law?, he cannot allow himself to fall in love with someone else, or at least, not allow HER to fall in love with HIM, because he is not at liberty to do anything about it. Yet he is a masochist and seeks her out anyway. And then basically sets her up with his former teacher! I don't blame him for going on a drinking binge when he realizes that there is no way for him to achieve his dreams, at least on his salary and with his lack of tutor. That has to be an intense level of despair! He must feel that there is literally nothing he can do with his life, not even have a family, because of his bonds to Arabella. And now he's slinking back to his aunt's, and is a failure in his own view, and probably hers as well. If I were to advise him, I wouldn't know WHAT to tell him!