Jude the Obscure, by Hardy

JUDE THE OBSCURE is perhaps the most vivid illustration of Hardys belief that our lives are governed by dark and malevolent forces. Jude Fawley is torn between his sensual nature and his equally strong lust for learning, two sides of his character that are personified by the two women in his life--the earthy Arabella and the intellectual Sue Bridehead. Jude comes to a tragic end because of his inability to reconcile them. His attempts to rise above his humble origins, in spite of all his efforts, prove impossible, as do his attempts to live an unconventional life outside of marriage with the woman he loves. The novel represents Hardys strongest attack on the insularity of English university life, and on marriage as a religious institution. It was called JUDE THE OBSCENE by critics at the time because it was considered to be "steeped in sex."