Tess of the D'urbervilles: a Pure Woman (Masterpieces of Foreign Literature Series)

I particularly liked the scene where she and Angel met, it was very romantic. Hardy made a profound criticism of the social morality of the time through Tess's story, which is very courageous. Zhang Guruo's translation is also excellent, and the writing is beautiful, allowing me to be completely immersed in the story. I recommend you read this book too!

This book describes Tess's rough experience and shows the difficult situation of lower-class women in the Victorian era. The author cherishes Tess, paved the way for Tess to go to extremes in the end, and gave her all kinds of last resort reasons; the author is also cruel, arranging all kinds of unfortunate coincidences for Tess and making her suffer, just to vividly expose the oppression of lower-class women in that era. The root of Tess's tragedy lies in her family. A vain father, an ignorant mother, younger brothers and sisters who do not receive a good education, and the kind and moral eldest sister Tess. It is obvious that Tess will bear the brunt of being pushed out as a tool to turn the family around. In this way, Tess is pushed into a pit of fire by the family. Whether Tess returns home after being hurt, or Tess returns home after being abandoned by her husband, no one in the family sees her suffering from the beginning to the end, understands her pain, and even sacrifices Tess to live in the house in the end. Alec d'Urberville is the direct cause of Tess's tragedy. He is the spokesperson of class and male power in that era. He can be said to be the "embodiment of evil". He is a combination of hypocrisy, cunning, greed and cowardice. He has never done any good to Tess from beginning to end. Even if he helps her family, it is just to restrain Tess. God took pity on Tess and gave her beauty, but Tess was just an ordinary woman in the old times. To her, this gift was a "poison apple", which attracted the covetousness of the "false d'Urberville" and attracted the admiration of Clay who gave Tess love and further pain. If Tess was someone like Lucy in "Sense and Sensibility", then beauty would be her asset. She could reach a wealthy position with her beauty and intelligence, and there is a high probability that she would not have to endure the subsequent hardships. But in that case, she couldn't afford the book's subtitle, "A Pure Woman." Tess is a woman with a strong sense of morality. Her personality does not allow her to lie to her lover, and a series of troubles ensue. The love that Tess longs for is unconditional true love, but unfortunately Clay can't do it. Because her native family has never given Tess support, and Tess's heart longing for acceptance after being injured, she pursues sincere love and misunderstands the "love" shown by Clay. How I wish Tess met and was attracted to Justin in Madame Bovary. Justin's love is humble but pure. He loves real people, not imaginary "saints". This kind of love is exactly what Tess longs for. As for Clay, how persistent he was when he first proposed, and how cold he was when Tess left after confessing her past. Although he finally woke up, it was just too late. The love he gave Tess was not worth the pressure he exerted on Tess. The only pair of supporting characters in the book that show the brilliance of humanity are Marlene and Izzy. They are friends that Tess met when she went out to work. Like Tess, they are low-class women. Throughout the book, almost everyone who interacts with Tess has a purpose, except for Marlene and Izzy. They make friends with Tess without asking for it, and even put down their love for Clay in order to fulfill Tess. They are also the only pair of people in the book who truly understand Tess's struggle, and use their weak strength to firmly protect Tess. Tess, Tess, if there is an afterlife, don't be a human again. May you become a free bird, no longer need to be kidnapped by family ties or bound by the world, and be free in the world.

It was really difficult and painful for Tess.

After watching the drama version, let's read the original novel

Comment after reading.

I found it boring at first because I don't really like this kind of love story. After watching it, I found that I was actually moved. Tess, I really [cry]

After seeing the translation and annotations, I feel that Mr. Zhang Guruo is more beautiful and expressive than Tess, and uses words to show all the beauty.