The Novel

O.k fans out there.

I've just started to read a summary of 'Jude The Obscure'.

What I needed to ask was this:

1) In Part III: At Melchester Sue tells Jude she knows he loves her but is not
permitted, only to like her but she doesn't actually mind and sends him a
letter the next day saying its o.k to love her if he wants.

Why couldn't Jude love her at this point because she does not know he is married?
I know they are cousins but I thought in Victorian society it was permitted to
marry your cousin if you wished.

Also I find Sue very annoying. She tells Jude one thing one minute then changes it the next! I couldn't stick a girl like her!

Still; I saw on T.v last night a documentary on Thomas Hardy's world. Very interesting on a man who yearned to love yet never really could. Pour Emma!! (His wife)