Plans to invade Britain is put on hold because Europe erupts. . . Napoleon's genius as a general on land . . . England still dominates the seas . . . total victory at Austerlitz . . . Right after the first major land victory of the campaign for N., Admiral Nelson obliterates the French fleet at Trafalgar. 22 French and Spanish ships lost--1 ship lost by Great Britain . . . the idea of invading Britain still festered in N. He foolishly spent money planning an invasion that would never take place and would have had no chance . . . Underestimated Great Britain; held personal animosity toward Brits . . . Napoleon's blind spot
"To all humankind, Tess was only a passing thought. Even to friends, she was only a frequently passing thought." Angel Clare is a good character. He's "enlightened," in so many ways, but when Tess's confesses her "crime," he reverts to ancestral form . . . Tess's "confession" comes earlier than I expected, right after Angel reveals that he has had a bad moment with a woman. Tess points out the similarity in their transgressions, though his is the only true transgression, expecting forgiveness. She doesn't get it. She returns to her mother . . . realizes she can't stay with her. Thoughts to suicide. Unhappiness that divorce is not possible. Departs. Tragic in that the two, if Angel could just see clearly, would indeed be a great couple, each adding to the other. Nature as a definite force involved in the tragedy. It's not neutral--when things go bad, the very skies mock Tess. Tess as unaware of the power of her bea...
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