“Jude Fawley, the stone-mason, whose academic ambitions are thwarted by poverty and the indifference of the authorities at Christminster, appears to find fulfillment in his relationship with Sue Bridehead. Both of them have fled from previous marriages, and together they share a ‘two-in-oneness’ rarely matched. Ironically, when tragedy strikes it is Sue, the modern, emancipated thinker…who is unequal to the challenge.”*
Someone recently pointed out to me the overwhelming suffering Hardy’s novels often feature – I rebuked the comment, giving numerous examples of happy marriage outcomes – Hardy’s characters often undergo hard torments, but they often reach some type of reward towards the novel’s end. Not so in Jude the Obscure.
The majority of novels feature obstacles to be overcome and troubles to endure, but Jude the Obscure takes the cake. At times, it felt like an emotional roller coaster – Hardy writes novels, not soap operas…right? If you thought Tess of the d’Urbervilles featured a tragic heroine, you have not yet been introduced to Sue Bridehead. Sue’s troubles and the enormous tragedy she faces dwarf any of Tess’ own obstacles. I am not too sure what Hardy may have been going through at the writing of this novel, but he decidedly put his characters through the wringer (Could this be some form of writer’s therapy?).
One of the most tragic aspects of the novel, and perhaps Hardy’s own perspective of society at the time, is the failure of many characters’ attempts to better themselves. A country boy who can only attend school at night, Jude Fawley dreams of being a scholar and a churchman. Unlike others, Jude actually reaches for his dream – he works hard and studies hard. Yet Jude is brought low by rejection – a workman must remain a workman. Other characters also try to better themselves – Arabella moves to Australia looking for success returning in failure. Mr. Phillotson leaves for the university life, but he too falls short of expectations. What lesson does Hardy attempt to teach? Is society a ladder that cannot be climbed?
In other regards, society also delivers a hard smack down to Sue Bridehead. Hardy introduces Sue as a free spirit who marches the beat of her own drum. Yet Hardy cannot infuse enough strength into Sue to withstand the castigations her actions draw from society and the Church. Divorce and living in unmarried sin with a man force unspeakable trials onto Sue’s slight back. Again, social expectations and the pressure to conform to one’s station in life feature heavily in a Hardy novel.
Verdict: If the reader ever feels the desire for some self-flagellation, pick up Jude the Obscure and read. Jude and Sue may truthfully be Hardy’s most complex characters – who strive for more and suffer immensely. A Hardy novel, the story-telling is exquisite and the descriptions are rich – it is up the reader to decide whether Hardy’s talent measures up against the level suffering and tragedy experienced within these pages. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
*Hardy, Thomas. Jude the Obscure. London: Penguin Books, 1978.