Jude the Obscure

I found Jude the Obscure to be surprisingly moving, which many of you may find peculiar due to its pessimistic view on marriage, religion, education, children, life really. But the truth is: Hardy told the truth; and many of us, especially our Victorian ancestors, wish to avoid acknowledging it at all costs- even to go as far as lying to oneself. I found the novel to be similar to Voltaire's...more

I found Jude the Obscure to be surprisingly moving, which many of you may find peculiar due to its pessimistic view on marriage, religion, education, children, life really. But the truth is: Hardy told the truth; and many of us, especially our Victorian ancestors, wish to avoid acknowledging it at all costs- even to go as far as lying to oneself. I found the novel to be similar to Voltaire's Candid or the Book of Job insofar as the protagonist's existence is simply plagued, and Hardy does a meticulous (if I may say: timeless) job of portraying the doubt, the loathing, the reproach, and the questioning that this type of existence ought to borne. Religion is shown to be completely irrational, paradoxical, and down right harmful, paying much homage to Marx's quote that "religion is the opiate of the masses"; university education is depicted as an education saved only for the rich and powerful rather than for the intellectually gifted though poor and unknown, and most prominent of all is Hardy's defacement of traditional marriage and family life. Hardy was for natural marriage of two individuals without the "legal contract" of the government or the "santification" by religion. He shows the horror of the traditional religious marriage: what constraints in puts upon ones own will power and desires, the false sentimentality, the hidden sadness and loss of volition, and all of this because one is terrified of sin and its promised aftermath. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about engagement in the near future (or, remember to read this book before getting any matrimonial ideas). Especially through the musings of Mr. Phillotson, you will be forced to consider the impact of, the rationality of, the projected future of, and most importantly the story behind what you are about to commit to. Do not get lost thinking this book to be a typical boring Victorian novel: for Jude the Obscure will question one main thing that each and every one of us thinks about: marriage. And why do I find this book to be moving in light of its pessimism? Hardy was courageous enough to challenge the masses' irrational and customary views on religion, education, and marriage and speak the "hushed" truth about these topics; the truth that most of the Victorian masses knew all along though were utterly terrified to ever admit it or state publicly. And that, to me, is moving. Sad thing is, much of the "Victorian Values" regarding marriage especially are alive and thriving today; and more and more couples enter into a legal and "sancified" bond and never truly question, transcendentally, why this is.   hide

If you sometimes find yourself not hanging out with certain people or telling friends "you're way too pessimistic" and "your cynical perspective really brings me down," this is definitely not a book for you. However, if you are upset when books throw out all the strife and emotional weight that has made them interesting in order to end on an "up note," this book is wonderful. It is not uplifting,...more

If you sometimes find yourself not hanging out with certain people or telling friends "you're way too pessimistic" and "your cynical perspective really brings me down," this is definitely not a book for you. However, if you are upset when books throw out all the strife and emotional weight that has made them interesting in order to end on an "up note," this book is wonderful. It is not uplifting, not heartwarming, not sweet; it is an honest and emotionally mature exposition of what can go wrong when in the pursuit of one's ambitions and a portrait of a man worn down by time and circumstance.   hide

Number 4 or 5 on my list of Hardy novels, which means it is excellent but not outstanding. It's odd that one can remain so emotionally detached from the characters, but yet still enjoy the book so much. With all Hardy's work its as if the reader is apart from the action and very truly involved with the characters to the point that they feel for them. If anything like what happens to Hardy...more

Number 4 or 5 on my list of Hardy novels, which means it is excellent but not outstanding. It's odd that one can remain so emotionally detached from the characters, but yet still enjoy the book so much. With all Hardy's work its as if the reader is apart from the action and very truly involved with the characters to the point that they feel for them. If anything like what happens to Hardy characters happened to characters in Where a Red Fern Grows, Harry Potter, or most other modern fiction one would certainly not be so unaffected.   hide

Probably the most depressing novels of all time. Jude Fawley is a really unfortunate person. It's a shame that the book recieed so much critiscm, it was o.k, but i wouldn't recommend to anyone with a nervous disposition! It is extremely powerful, the fact that the character diminishes as the book progresses makes you more inclined to read on. Quite challenging, but rewarding also.