Tess of D'urbervilles

 Author: Thomas Hardy

Introduction

Tess of the d’Urbervilles, penned by Thomas Hardy, is a classic novel that portrays the heartbreaking story of Tess, a young woman caught in a web of fate and societal expectations.

Characters

Tess Durbeyfield

Tess Durbeyfield, also known as Teresa, is the heart and soul of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." Described as beautiful and irresistible, Tess possesses an innocence and naivety that blinds her to the harsh realities of the world. Unaware of the lust, cruelty, and vanity that surround her, she navigates through life with a sense of vulnerability and a longing for love. However, her lack of education and understanding of the treacherous nature of men ultimately leads to her downfall.

Alec d'Urberville

Alec d'Urberville, the heir to the d'Urberville fortune, is a consummate playboy who knows no bounds when it comes to debauching women. When he sets his sights on Tess, he orchestrates a plan to bring her to The Slopes, hoping to seduce her. Alec's reckless pursuit of pleasure ultimately ruins Tess's life, as he impregnates her and leaves her unaware of his actions until much later. However, Alec receives his comeuppance when he pays for his deceit with his own life.

Angel Clare

Angel Clare, the youngest son of Parson Clare, enters Tess's life as her husband. Initially, Angel is captivated by Tess's beauty and purity, but when he learns about her past with Alec and their child, Sorrow, he abandons her and spends a year in Brazil. Eventually, Angel returns to England, hoping to reclaim Tess, only to find her with Alec. After Alec's murder, Angel stands by Tess until her arrest, and he agrees to marry Liza Lu, as Tess had requested before meeting her fate on the gallows.

John and Joan Durbeyfield

John Durbeyfield, Tess's father, is a haggler and middleman who struggles to provide for his family. Uneducated and prone to excessive drinking, John's irresponsibility leads the Durbeyfields to destitution upon his death. Joan Durbeyfield, Tess's mother, does her best to raise their seven children but fails to prepare Tess for the dangers of the world and the complexities of love.

Liza Lu

Liza Lu, Tess's younger sister, is introduced as a twelve-year-old girl. Although she only appears in a few chapters, Liza Lu becomes significant towards the end of the novel when Tess asks Angel to marry her after her death. Liza Lu and Angel are united as Tess had wished, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.

Sorrow Durbeyfield

Sorrow Durbeyfield, also known as Tess's child with Alec d'Urberville, tragically dies in infancy. His existence serves as a constant reminder of Tess's past and the consequences of her encounters with Alec. Sorrow's brief life symbolizes the fleeting nature of innocence and the hardships faced by Tess throughout the novel.

Parson and Mrs. Clare, Cuthbert and Felix Clare

Parson and Mrs. Clare are Angel's parents, representing the conservative and traditional values of their time. Their disapproval of Tess's past leads to Angel's initial rejection of her. Cuthbert and Felix Clare, Angel's brothers, also play minor roles in the story, reflecting the complexities of familial relationships and societal expectations.

Parson Tringham

Parson Tringham is the minister who reveals to John Durbeyfield his supposed lineage to the d'Urberville family. This revelation sets in motion the events that lead Tess to encounter Alec and eventually Angel. Parson Tringham's role highlights the importance of social status and the impact of inherited titles in Victorian society.

Mrs. d'Urberville

Mrs. d'Urberville, Alec's mother, is a sixty-year-old widow who owns The Slopes. Although her character appears briefly, her influence on Alec and his behavior is significant. Mrs. d'Urberville's wealth and position contribute to Alec's sense of entitlement and his belief that he can manipulate and control women.

Mercy Chant, Mr. Richard Crick, Izz Huett, Marian, Retty Priddle, Farmer Groby, Mrs. Brooks

These supporting characters add depth to the narrative and provide insight into the societal norms and expectations that Tess must navigate. Mercy Chant, a woman Angel's family suggests he marries, eventually marries Cuthbert Clare. Mr. Richard Crick, a dairy farmer at Talbothays Dairy, shows kindness towards Tess and Angel. Izz Huett, Marian, and Retty Priddle, Tess's friends at Talbothays and Flintcomb-Ash, also harbor feelings for Angel. Farmer Groby, in charge of Flintcomb-Ash, represents the harsh realities and demands of agricultural work. Mrs. Brooks, the innkeeper at Sandbourne for The Herons, witnesses Alec's murder.

Summary

The Durbeyfield Family's Surprising Revelation

The story begins with John Durbeyfield, a poor peddler, who discovers that he is a descendant of the noble d'Urberville family. This revelation fills the family with hope for a prosperous future. Their eldest daughter, Tess, unaware of the truth behind their newfound lineage, participates in the May Day dance and catches the eye of a young man. Mr. Durbeyfield and his wife decide to send Tess to the d’Urberville mansion, hoping that Mrs. d’Urberville will secure Tess's fortune.

Tess's Encounter with the Lascivious Alec d’Urberville

Upon arriving at the d’Urberville estate, Tess is introduced to Mrs. d’Urberville and her son, Alec. Unbeknownst to Tess, Alec is not a true d'Urberville but a mere imposter who adopted the name after retiring from his merchant life. Tess, feeling indebted to the family due to an accident involving their horse, accepts a job tending fowls on the estate. Despite Alec's persistent advances, Tess resists his attempts to seduce her.

However, in a moment of vulnerability after a fair, Alec takes advantage of Tess in the woods. Tess, burdened by guilt and believing herself to be at fault for the incident, returns home to give birth to Alec's child, whom she names Sorrow. Tragically, Sorrow dies shortly after his birth, plunging Tess into a year of misery before seeking work elsewhere.

A Glimpse of Happiness at Talbothays Dairy

Tess finds solace and contentment at Talbothays Dairy, where she works as a milkmaid. It is at this idyllic location that she encounters Angel Clare, the young man she had exchanged glances with during the May Day dance. As Tess and Angel gradually fall in love, she befriends her fellow milkmaids, Izz, Retty, and Marian. Their friendships provide Tess with a sense of belonging and happiness.

Despite her growing affection for Angel, Tess carries a heavy burden of guilt and feels compelled to confess her past to him. She writes a confessional note, but it goes unnoticed as it slips under the carpet. Eventually, Angel proposes to Tess, and she accepts. However, their happiness is short-lived as both of them reveal their previous indiscretions: Angel confesses to an affair in London, while Tess discloses her history with Alec.

Angel's Unforgiving Heart and Tess's Descent into Tragedy

Although Tess forgives Angel for his transgressions, Angel cannot bring himself to forgive Tess. He gives her money and leaves for Brazil, with the intention of establishing a farm and eventually sending for her. Tess, desperate and struggling to find work, takes a job at an unpleasant and unprosperous farm. She attempts to visit Angel's family but overhears his brothers criticizing their marriage, leading her to leave.

While wandering, Tess encounters Alec, who has renounced his previous ways and become a wandering preacher. Their meeting stirs up conflicting emotions within both of them. Alec, despite his earlier plea to never tempt him again, proposes to Tess once more, having abandoned his religious convictions.

In the midst of these tumultuous events, Tess learns that her mother is gravely ill, prompting her return home to care for her. Tragically, her father unexpectedly passes away, and the family is evicted from their home. Alec offers his help, but Tess, aware of his ulterior motives, refuses to accept.

The Final Acts of Desperation and Redemption

Eventually, Angel decides to forgive Tess and embarks on a mission to find her. Instead, he encounters Tess's mother, who reveals that Tess has gone to a village named Sandbourne. There, Angel finds Tess residing in an expensive boardinghouse called The Herons. He begs for her forgiveness and asks her to take him back, but Tess tells him that he has come too late. Unable to resist the pull of Alec, she rekindles their relationship.

In a state of emotional turmoil and heartbroken to the point of madness, Tess stabs Alec to death in their boardinghouse. Escaping the scene, she seeks out Angel, who agrees to help her despite his disbelief in her actions. The two find temporary refuge in an abandoned mansion before they are discovered by a search party near Stonehenge. Tess is arrested and sent to jail, with Angel and her sister Liza-Lu watching as a black flag is raised, symbolizing her impending execution.

Themes

Injustice and the Inescapable Hand of Fate

One of the central themes in Tess of the d’Urbervilles is the overwhelming presence of injustice in Tess's life. Despite her good intentions, she finds herself facing unfair punishments and circumstances. This sense of injustice becomes a recurring motif throughout the novel, raising questions about the nature of fate and the existence of universal justice. Tess's experiences highlight the arbitrary and cruel nature of the world, where good people often suffer without reason.

Hardy challenges the notion of divine justice by depicting Tess's fate as a mere game played by the "President of the Immortals." The absence of Christian justice is further reinforced by the pagan rituals practiced by the farm workers at the beginning of the novel and Tess's final resting place at Stonehenge. These elements underscore the capricious and indifferent nature of the gods.

Additionally, the novel explores the concept of justice within the Victorian social context. Tess's purity of blood as a d’Urberville means little in a society that values wealth and social standing over lineage. Simon Stokes, Alec's father, exemplifies this societal shift by using his fortune to adopt the prestigious name of Stoke-d’Urberville. The changing ideas of social class highlight the arbitrary nature of justice and the fluidity of societal definitions.

The Changing Ideas of Social Class in Victorian England

Tess of the d’Urbervilles presents a nuanced exploration of social class dynamics in Victorian England. The novel challenges the traditional evaluation of class based solely on bloodline and highlights the increasing importance of wealth and fortune. The Durbeyfields, despite their noble lineage, are reduced to poverty and find themselves marginalized in a society that values money above all else.

Hardy contrasts the traditional notions of class with the character of Angel Clare. Despite his privileged upbringing, Angel rejects the traditional privileges afforded to someone of his social standing. He chooses to work alongside farm laborers and falls in love with Tess, a milkmaid. Angel's rejection of societal expectations challenges the rigidity of Victorian class structures and emphasizes the importance of personal choice and individual agency.

Men Dominating Women: Power Dynamics and Gender Roles

Another prominent theme in Tess of the d’Urbervilles is the pervasive dominance of men over women. The novel explores various manifestations of male dominance, ranging from purposeful acts of exploitation to unconscious control exerted through societal norms and expectations. Tess herself becomes a victim of this male dominance, experiencing both physical and emotional abuse.

The most egregious example of male domination is Alec's rape of Tess, which has a profound and life-altering impact on her. However, the novel also highlights the subtler forms of male control. Tess's friends Retty and Marian develop unhealthy obsessions with Angel, a man who remains oblivious to their desires. This unconscious domination suggests that gender roles and power dynamics are deeply ingrained in Victorian society.

Even Angel, portrayed as a sympathetic character, exercises a form of dominance over Tess. He idealizes her as the embodiment of purity and projects his own desires onto her, suppressing her true identity and experiences. This pattern of male domination is ultimately disrupted when Tess takes matters into her own hands and murders Alec. However, her act of defiance is met with further suppression by the male-dominated society.

The Inherent Oppression of Women and Femininity

Tess of the d’Urbervilles explores the concept of femininity and the inherent oppression faced by women in Victorian society. Hardy presents a dichotomy between the idealized image of femininity and the harsh realities experienced by women. Women are often portrayed as passive victims of their fate, expected to conform to societal expectations without agency or autonomy.

Tess, as a symbol of femininity and fertility, embodies both innocence and allure. She is blamed and shamed for her beauty, which is seen as a temptation that leads to her own downfall. The novel highlights the hypocrisy of a society that condemns Tess for her sexual experiences while excusing the promiscuity of men.

Hardy challenges the traditional roles assigned to women, presenting Tess as a complex and multifaceted character. Despite her passive victimhood, she ultimately rejects her prescribed role and stands up for herself. However, the societal constraints of the time and place ultimately prevent her from achieving true justice or liberation.

Social Criticism and the Hypocrisy of Victorian Society

Tess of the d’Urbervilles serves as a scathing critique of Victorian society, particularly in its treatment of women and adherence to rigid social expectations. Hardy exposes the sexism ingrained in the societal norms of the time, highlighting the double standards applied to men and women. The novel reveals the hypocrisy of a society that condemns women for their perceived transgressions while allowing men to escape scrutiny.

The author presents the concept of marriage as a social construct rather than a natural instinct. Tess's experiences with both Alec and Angel challenge societal notions of marriage and expose the limitations imposed on women within these institutions. The novel questions the responsibilities and commitments associated with marriage, suggesting that societal expectations often overshadow the emotional bonds between individuals.

Furthermore, Hardy uses the transition from rural to urban settings to critique the moral shallowness of modern society. The loss of connection to the natural world is portrayed as a loss of innocence, with the modern world depicted as detached and exploitative.

Conclusion

Tess of the d’Urbervilles is a haunting novel that explores the consequences of societal expectations, the complexities of love, and the tragedy of missed opportunities. Tess, a victim of circumstance and the oppressive nature of Victorian society, epitomizes the struggle of an individual against a world that refuses to accept her flaws.

As the story unfolds, we witness Tess's journey from innocence to experience, her moments of happiness shattered by the relentless forces of fate and the choices of those around her. It is a cautionary tale that serves as a reminder of the destructive power of societal constraints and the devastating consequences of betrayal.

In the end, Tess's fate serves as a stark reminder of the injustices faced by women in a society that values reputation over compassion. Her story continues to resonate with readers, shedding light on the enduring themes of love, morality, and the human capacity for both resilience and tragedy.