A review by lapsedmarxist
Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

5.0

can now confirm that this is in fact the most dire and bleak novel by thomas hardy. jude has a miserable existence. he is first unwanted by his parents and then subsequently unwanted by his aunt. he grows up seeing his dreams fade away. marriage, social determinism and religion all play an active role in dashing his dreams. jude covets something he has no right to get. he has a thirst for knowledge/education. his pursuit of this unattainable dream only brings him suffering; that and the fact that jude is part of the working class. there is nothing easy, happy, or even good about judes life. only misery and sadness. thomas hardy has a dark vision of life. this is best illustrated when little jude hangs himself along with his half siblings. this tragic event marks jude. it defeats him. social determinism defeats everybody. judes death is very poignant. he dies never fulfilling his dream of going to university. it remained only ever a dream. a path jude aspired to -but could and would never- tread on himself. jude dies obscure, unknown, indistinguishable, insignificant. despite his high ambitions he is unable to escape the faith of all poor men. his attempt to defy the system only brought him misery. ultimately, death is the best deliverance.