I have just finished reading this book and found that there are still quite a lot of things that I would like to know more about. For example, why did Hardy choose to skip all of Tess's pregnancy? I am sure there could have been many beautiful words written about that, and pregnancy is a huge thing! It would have marked many changes in Tess's character and also in people's perceptions of her. Although she would have still been beautiful, her once immaculate appearance would certainly have changed! How would her family have reacted?
There is of course, the scene at The Chase which is left ambiguous. At first I thought that this was because he couldn't go into the brutality due to the society of the time. Now I think there are other possible reasons too. For does it really matter whether Tess was raped or seduced; should either make her any less pure as a woman?(or as a human being)
Are there any other 'gaps' in the text that anyone can think of? Any events or themes that are mentioned but not fully developed? I'm interested to hear what you think. Thank you!