lambent - gleaming, glowing
I am forty pages away from finishing Thomas Hardy's classic, Jude The Obscure, the epitome of prescience. Conceived in 1887, it focuses on protagonists Jude and Sue, who just happen to be first cousins, and somewhat shockingly, lovers. As the concept of marriage in their family borders on anathema, they never wed in the traditional, legal sense, deciding instead to live together and conceive children despite 19th century society's condemnation of their unorthodox choices. For the most part, they protect themselves by concealing the truth and moving from hamlet to hamlet. Today's term "lambent" is used in the novel at one point to depict the effect of candlelight on Sue's rueful face that is never placated. I can imagine that when the book was released in 1894, it was on the controversial side. However, Hardy was no fool. He sidestepped criticism and censure by taking a lambent moral stance by ensuring that the lovers suffer for their deceptive and "perverse" lifestyle. In the preface, he takes a decidedly objective stance.
What I find fascinating is how human nature does not change over time; only technology does. Today, as in Hardy's time, there are still conservatives making undue judgements against individuals that choose alternative paths although the liberal minded are supportive and seem to be making headway in the media. Can the indie-alternatives rise up against traditionalists or must they continue to struggle to find a safe haven? It is hard to say.
Best to remain optimistic.
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