About What You Deserve: Tess of the Durbs
Post 783:
I did a video a couple months back about a quote from Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbrvilles, but it left me feeling a tad unsatisfied. I love that book, and I’d like to go back to Tess and hint at why I think this is a dang near perfect novel.
I’ll do a general overview but beforehand let me apologize for the fact that I talk about classic English novels a lot. Without getting into the weeds, I do this for two reasons. First, my French is crap and my Spanish is terrible. Second, I like that old novels almost let you pretend you can read a different language. The way things are discussed in these stories makes them challenging to understand, but in the end you’ll get an enlightening experience. Expansive. Perspective. The overlords told me it was a big deal, so keep that in mind.
Yes, I heartily recommend. The writing is of the highest quality and since it’s more modern than many novels I’ve discussed, a lot easier to access with your brainpan.
Now when I say quality, I’m talking aesthetics and story. Too many classics are boring. Not here. Things happen. Tragic things. Shockingly tragic things, actually. Considering it was written near the turn of the 20th century, it was downright scandalous. There’s philosophy and poetic flourishes that teleport you to a pastoral setting where it’s okay to sit and think about stuff while milking cows.
Okay, if you don’t want it spoiled, stop here. Not to say I’m going to give a play by play, but I can’t avoid talking about some story points.
The plot is executed so well. With few characters and little Adventure, we go on a pretty hardcore physical, mental and psychological journey with Tess. Also, you realize that people had to walk a ton back in the day. If you weren’t rich enough for a horse, you were a professional walker. What I’m trying to say is that there’s a ton of walking in this book.
And yet! It’s great and amazing and really one of the most perfect and heart slaying endings in the history of history. You know the bad is coming, but somehow you’re hoping for the best. Tess is a likeable character and I wanted her to win. Yeah, she’s headstrong, but dang if she doesn’t have bad luck. And that’s putting it lightly.
Tess is a cool cat. She complains a little, but she could complain a lot more. Here’s the deal; Tess gets used to pain. It reminds me that humans are weird in what we can acclimate to. Repetition is mighty powerful. If you’re getting a beatdown on the daily, then sooner or later you might just call yourself someone who takes a beatdown. Repetition becomes you. The notion of what we deserve is also extremely powerful. Depending on how the cards are dealt we can convince ourselves any hand was the right one.
This is best summed up at the end. After finally having a few days of happiness with her husband, she says it can’t last and gives over to the “fact” that she can’t endure the good times. Fulfillment is like a healthy meal to a person raised on garbage. Her system rejects it. She’s taken too many beatdowns and convinced herself that’s the only way it can go.
I’ve been there, Tess. Down those holes many a time. But maybe it’s cool to avoid thinking too much about what you deserve. New cards can be dealt. Nothing repeats forever. The lesson, I suppose, is acceptance can backfire sometimes. Change your station, or at least try. God knows it’s not easy, but you don’t want to end up like Tess, tragic with very few good times to take to the grave.
And thus ends another happy message from tylerhaswords.com
Sorry, it’s a sad book, but I’m so glad I went back over it. Thanks Tom Hardy. I loved you in Peaky Blinders.
Cheers and see you after.
