The Book Report of Jude the ObscureJude the Obscure is one of the most famous novels in Victorian age written by Tomas Hardy, which has withstood the test of time. It is also the last of Tomas Hardy's tragic novels. When I first read this book, I was deeply touched by the anfractuous characters, plots and space-time structure of this masterpiece.This is a story full of tragedies. Jude Fawley is a young Wessex villager who has intellectual aspirations but had no chance to be admitted to a university all through his life. Heroine Sue is a beautiful woman with independent personality and thoughts. She looked down upon the secular and rigid religions. They fall in love with each other for their similar interests. But under the double pressure of poverty and social disapproval, their relationship deteriorates and tragedy overtakes them. Jude has no way to support his family and trapped into a dilemma. At the same time, Jude's eldest child by Arabella hangs Jude and Sue's two children. Sue was distressed by this reality, eventually succumbed to the fate and the church, left Jude and returned to Phillotson. After that, Jude begins to drink heavily and dies miserably soon after under the age of thirty. This is the main plot of the novel. When I finished reading this book, hardly can I believe in such pure love between Jude and Sue.What caused the tragedy of Jude at that period? Of course, it was because of his poverty, low status that led him no way to escape from the lowest depths of the actual social world. Jude failed in his career as well as his marriage. So Jude suffered a double blow. The novel devotes too much space to discuss the relationship between love and marriage. Generally speaking, if one has deep feelings to his spouse, they will have a perfect marriage undoubtedly. However, in Victorian age, it is not a truth in real life. It also involved with the limitation and affection of the social customs and values. Jude first lived with Arabella and then lived with Sue, while the two women has distinct personalities. Arabella is a practical woman with strong desire. In terms of personality, she is not suitable for Jude and the gap between them is enormous. While for the lack of possessiveness, Jude had sex with Arabella, and later, Arabella cheats him that she was pregnant, Jude had no choice but to got married with her. Thereupon, they started their tragic marriage with no love. Arabella doesn't care that they have love or not, what she cares is that whether it is useful for her. Once she knows that one cannot bring benefits to her, she can leave at any time. It is no wonder that she left Jude and went abroad to marry another man later. And at last, she went out of her way to let remarried with her. This is the image of Arabella.However, Sue is utterly different from Arabella, but her personality has changed a lot by suffering a lot of hard times. Previously, Sue is a well-educated, intelligent and independent girl. She has brave rebellion to the old traditional customs. For instance, she brings that little statue to her room which is not accepted by the social life then. In addition, she interacts with Jude openly regardless of the objections of school. She is so unique that Jude praised her a progressive female with V oltaire spirits. And it's a good summary for her. Nevertheless, she is not strong and powerful enough as well as Jude to struggle against the traditional Victorian values. She suffered blows one by one. Firstly, she was confined to prison by the school becauseshe escaped from her room to make appointments Jude. Then she left Phillotson and eloped with Jude to pursue her own happiness. However, she still cannot live happily with Jude ever after. She believed that all the tragedies were the punishments by God, they cannot get rid of the shackles and obstacles of fates. Both of them become the victims of the old traditions.Although in this novel, a lot of space is devoted to describing the matter of love and marriage. What is the true essence of the two notions? How to deal with the relationship between them? Is there true love in the world? These are all the matters discussed by people in all ages. While in the Victorian age, the true love between Jude and Sue is defeated by the conventions of the repressive society. At that time, people believed that it is illegal to live together before one get married with another, so Jude and Sue have trouble in finding jobs and renting house. They were so severely judged by the secular society. But now, without any trouble, we can pursue our own happiness and life patterns. And I am firmly believed that all of us can lead a happy life with the true love for that love is a rare and precious thing which can help us overcome any difficulties. Despite that we may come across some practical matters, we can get through all the obstacles by strong convictions.Although the novel use a large amount of word to describe love and marriage. The true essence is to reveal the tragedies of the lower class like Jude, whom is too powerless to struggle against the unfair society and inhumane bourgeoisie. In addition, the themes of the novel consist of enormous issues, such as the struggle of the lower class people, reveal and criticize the traditional Victorian values, and the struggle of female consciousness and so on. From Hardy's point ot view, it seems like a conflict between individuals and society. As a matter of fact, it's a clash between workers and bourgeoisie. Only when we have had solved this contradiction, can our society make big advancements in the future.The book becomes a world classic not only because of the rich connotations, but also the deep thoughts and profound themes. The author exquisitely detailed portrays the characters. A masterpiece will succeed not in plots but the implied meaning of the work though it reflected a lot of intricate relationships. So when we read a famous work, we must use patience to appreciate every line and every word carefully to understand the true essence. Just as Jude the Obscure, it needs your careful reading and tasting. Not like the popular fiction, we just enjoy the interesting plots only and do not need to consider the language structures. The more famous works you read, the more knowledge you will get. You will find it deserves all the efforts you spared sooner or later.。