“And it was the touch of imperfect upon the would-be perfect that gave the sweetness, because it was that which gave the humanity.”
-Tess Pg. 150
In unknowing eyes, Tess seems perfect and innocent, embodying purity at its fullest. When Angel Clare saw Tess in this way, only speaking of her looks, I think Hardy was implying much more, expressing Clare’s lack of knowledge about Tess. Due to Alec D’Urbervilles previous defilement of Tess, she has become a whole new person, and though she looks the same, her purity is lost. When Tess tells Clare of this encounter, he claims he doesn’t love her anymore because she isn’t as real as she was before this knowledge came out, but I see it as the opposite.
I really liked this quote because I think it portrays that nothing is truly perfect, no person, no relationship, or any idea. If something actually is perfect, it’s not real. Clare seems to think it’s possible to have such a relationship, but doesn’t realize that what he loves most about Tess is the “imperfect upon the would-be perfect”. If she were perfect, he probably wouldn’t love her the same. This portrays a man’s expectations of women in 19th century society, how unfairly they can be treated, through Alec, and how wrongly they can be accused, even though in this situation it is the man being stubborn; Clare is unable to realize that he is in the wrong by leaving her, and by not seeing that the flaw is what makes Tess the woman he loves.
Imperfection lets us know that we are real and living. As the quote states, it gives us our humanity. Many qualities we have come from our imperfection, which is what attracts Clare to Tess. It is accepting those flaws that create what is real.
-Taylor C.
-Taylor C.
I completely agree with your concluding paragraph about how our "imperfection lets us known that we're real and living". Especially in society today, people constantly look for ways to improve their physical appearance, even going as far as putting themselves in danger through surgical operations. Perfection can be described in so many ways, not just physically, which is why so many people pursue it yet never achieve it. I think people lead themselves to believe that it can be obtained but ultimately meet with disappointment. If we don't simply accept our flaws and imperfections, then we will forever chase after this unreachable state.
ReplyDelete-Matt A.
Your conclusion paragraph perfectly explains your analysis. It is true that nothing is ever perfect. Imperfections exist all around us and in all of us. Like you said, accepting those flaws/imperfections are what make each and every one of us unique. However, people are not willing to accept their imperfections. The criticisms, teasing, and jealousy from others make people want to alter their bodies in an attempt to reach "perfection." These changes may bring temporary satisfaction, but give way disappointment and additional imperfections. The only way to complete happiness is through the acceptance of life's imperfections.
ReplyDeleteDane Johnson
I definitely agree. I believe that it is our imperfections that make us who we truly are. As I was reading Tess I was truly annoyed at how perfect Thomas Hrady portrayed Tess but came to notice that her flawes stood out even more as I neared the end of the book. Still, I was extremely dissatisfied by the reaction and behavior by both Alec and Angel to Tess' soc-called impurity even though Angel did learn to embrace it rather than scorn it.
ReplyDelete- Jake
I had to comment on this when I saw it, because I definitely highlighted this same quote as I was reading Tess. Imperfection to me seems like it is almost a theme in the novel, or at least a persistently recurring idea. I feel like Angel wanted Tess to be perfect and that was the reason he fled when he found out the truth. Like you said it is really her imperfections that he is in love with and it is not until he accepts them that he goes back to her. Similar to our own society today, I think too many people want perfection of themselves and of others, and they end up losing themselves in their imperfections that they so carelessly erase.
ReplyDelete-Audrey T
I'm in love with this quote! It's so true and applicable to all aspects of life, not just humans. Tess is not perfect, and her imperfections are in fact what makes her so beautiful and moral. Angel is obviously influenced by the society he lives in, rejecting Tess because of her imperfection. He had put her on a pedestal, seeing her as this flawless being. You're right; nothing that is perfect is real, and nothing that is real is perfect.
ReplyDelete-Dayna M.
No one will ever be perfect, we all have flaws and we all make mistakes but allthose things make us who we really are. Tess is such a beautiful girl, she has so many imperfections and shes gone through such rough things but her beauty still rises high. She potrays a an angel with her willingnesss to strive in this harsh society and where she keeps getting hurt but still she doesnt seem to want to harm anyone.
ReplyDeletemayra de la torre
"Imperfection lets us know that we are real and living." I love this quote. It is so true because nobody is perfect and that's how we live. Although Tess is beautiful but not perfect, and because of that she seems more real.
ReplyDelete-stephanie k
This was a very interesting way to approach this novel, a way that I failed to fully see at the time I was reading it. I think your right, that what makes us human is our imperfections. What a sad reality. I wonder how things would be if everything could be perfect. Hopefully we all find out someday, if you catch my drift haha.
ReplyDeleteDaniel Hawkins