Response: Angel Clare

Angel Clare was the first character I took a liking to in this novel. When he first appeared in phase the first, Angel really interested me. I enjoyed the idea of him and his brothers just passing through Marlott as they traveled. As Angel leaves, Tess and him have an unspoken moment, Angel regrets not dancing with her and the mysterious boy intrigues Tess. Immediately after I read of this would be encounter I sensed foreshadowing of them having a future together. However as I read further, I began to think maybe I would never hear of Angel again. Fortunately, this is not the case, and in fact, in phase the third, entitled, "The Rally", they begin to build quite a fancy for each other. Within the first description of Angel I felt he was superior to Alec, in a way, his replacement. The passage, "Beneath it was something educated, reserved, subtle, sad, differing."(87), was the first to give me this idea. In addition, an entire chapter was dedicated to informing the reader of Angel's past, and reasons for residing at Talbothays Dairy. This alone is a testament to how Angel is going to be a more significant and ethiclly sound character than Alec. Another reason Angel appeals to me as a character is how he lives and his way of thinking. Angel's desire to pursue agriculture rather than what his father wishes he would pursue also highly interests me, considering the time this novel takes place. I look forward to see how Angel and Tess's relationship builds and progresses.