Jude the Obscure (1895) by Thomas Hardy is a tragic novel set in Victorian England that critiques societal structures, including marriage, religion, education, and class. It follows Jude Fawley, a working-class man whose dreams of academic success are thwarted by societal barriers and personal tragedies. Despite his aspirations to study at Christminster, Jude’s life is marked by complex relationships, particularly with Sue Bridehead, his cousin and love interest. Their love is marred by societal expectations, guilt, and personal struggles. As they endure hardships, including rejection, betrayal, and the devastating loss of children, Jude and Sue's relationship spirals into despair. Ultimately, Jude dies alone, while Sue chooses to return to her previous husband, Phillotson, as an act of penance. The novel concludes with a bleak examination of the human condition and the failure of societal institutions.
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