Tess of the d'Urbervilles

(1891)

Tess of the d'Urbervilles is generally regarded as Hardy's finest novel. A brilliant tale of seduction, love, betrayal, and murder, Tess of the d'Ubervilles yields to narrative convention by punishing Tess's sin, but boldly exposes this standard denouement of unforgiving morality as cruelly unjust. Throughout, Hardy's most lyrical and atmospheric language frames his shattering narrative. The novel centers around a young woman who struggles to find her place in society. When it is discovered that the low-class Durbeyfield family is in reality the d'Urbervilles, the last of a famous bloodline that dates back hundreds of years, the mother sends her eldest daughter, Tess, to beg money from relations with the obvious desire that Tess wed the rich Mr. d'Urberville. Thus begins a tale of woe in which a wealthy man cruelly mistreats a poor girl. Tess is taken advantage of by Mr. d'Urberville and leaves his house, returning home to have their child, who subsequently dies. Throughout the rest of this fascinating novel, Tess is tormented by guilt at the thought of her impurity and vows to never marry. She is tested when she meets Angel, the clever son of a priest, and falls in love with him. After days of pleading, Tess gives in to Angel and consents to marry him. Angel deserts Tess when he finds the innocent country girl he fell in love with is not so pure.

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Recent Forum Posts on Tess of the d'Urbervilles

How does Hardy build suspense in Chapter 56, Tess of the d'Urbervilles?

help!

Posted By amycs at Sun 11 Oct 2009, 7:17 AM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 0 Replies

How would you describe Tess' character?

Hi I've got to write an essay about what Tess was thinking as she was on her way to be executed and after discuss what her character was like and how she was as a person. I think she was a woman deprived of the ability to be truly happy and helplessly falling into traps of love and deception. I also wonder was she quite a determined woman as although she was stripped of her status she fought on yet unsuccesfully, eventually accepting her fate after she murdered Alec. Unfortuanately now I've got writer's block and I don't know what to put, can any peoples out there help me please? Thank-you

Posted By wishiwasausten at Tue 21 Apr 2009, 2:27 PM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 2 Replies

hardy's narrative technique

was just wondering if anyone could give an opinion on this question; "Hardy's narrative technique has often been described as cinematic. What evidence is there in Tess of the d'urbervilles to support or to challenge this analogy? Would just like to know how people interpret this question. thanks:idea:

Posted By noname86 at Wed 11 Mar 2009, 12:02 PM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 1 Reply

Alec Quotes

I need a quote that describes how Tess became depressed after being raped by Alec. A quote about (or why she named) her son Sorrow. A quote about Alec tricking Tess into believing Angel won't come back for her and that Alec will protect and love her and finally A quote about when Angel comes back for her that she realizes he has forgiven Tess. Can anyone help me please!?!?!?

Posted By FooJam8 at Sat 3 Jan 2009, 8:06 PM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 0 Replies

Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Victorian society

Can anyone comment on Tess and the impact she would have made on Victorian society and how much of Tess is typical of that era.

Posted By marly at Sun 19 Oct 2008, 7:38 AM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 2 Replies

Who is to blame for Tess' death?

Hi, I am doing an essay for school on who is really to blame for Tess' death, I really can't decide though. Is it Angel, Alec, Tess herself, or anyone else? I would be really grateful for opinions. Thank you

Posted By tessdurbeyfield at Tue 14 Oct 2008, 10:45 AM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 9 Replies

Where is the back story?

Hi, I cannot help but wonder what " true sequence of things" as mentioned in the explanatory note of the first edition November, 1891 occurred to inspire this artistic rendering of "the shaded side of a well known catastrophe" as described in the preface to the fifth and later editions? Upon whom was the fictional Tess modeled? Did Hardy ever reveal the source of his inspiration for this novel or the murder and execution which inspired this sad tale? Does anyone know who the prototype for Tess was and what similarities she may have had to Hardy's fictional Tess?

Posted By abzu at Thu 26 Jun 2008, 1:43 AM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 1 Reply

Tess's Fate

Was Tess really fated to be with Alec since her relationship with Angel never worked out?

Posted By alex23 at Mon 28 Apr 2008, 6:44 PM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 14 Replies

Tess - Strong or weak character?

Hey, I'm trying to analyse her character in depth, and I just can't decide if she truly is strong or weak? She is weak as she lets men and her devotion to her family rule her life. She goes to the Stoke-Durberville household on her parents say so. She then lets herself let Alec treat her awefully(obviously, I doubt whether she had much to do with that). She then forgets her stance to never marry and marries Angel, who when rejects her, basically thinks of herself as his slave. She then pines for him for years until Alec comes along and she gives into him. Ok, he did manipulate her into thinking Angel wouldn't ever come back, however, she was supposed to love Angel with her whole being, and to me that should mean more. She seems to have been just pushed into situations, rather than making decisions herself and choosing what she wants. However, she's so strong. She Christens her baby and then asks the Parson is it real and for a Christian burial, she picks herself up time after time getting numerous jobs to support herself. She makes the BIGGEST sacrifice by killing Alec to be with Angel. She puts her family first and actually gets together with Alec for the sake of her family, even though she doesn't love her and she has to see everyday, the face of her rapist, father of her dead baby. She endures such hard work and just gets on with it, without hesitation or moaning. So as you can see I'm in two halves. What are your opinions? Is Tess Strong or Weak? I'd be happy to hear more points of view. x

Posted By NoName at Sat 3 Nov 2007, 10:22 AM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 4 Replies

Ideas for fun Tess projects

I'm interested in teaching Tess at maybe a 12th grade level. I think the themes are still very relavent to today's times. I'm doing a class paper on teaching Tess atm. To make my paper more interesting, I wanted to include specific projects/assignments for the students. I really wanted to do some fun things. One idea I had from someone in class was a youtube video. They had a group project that used Great Expectations and Dickens life - so they put pictures of his life, novels, movie versions of GE, and also text to the music of the Cold Case theme. It was really well done. I thought it was such a great idea. Any other ideas for fun projects? Tess is such a great novel, but I can imagine high school students getting bored with it. I thought hands on, creative assignments could really bring this book to life.

Posted By Luna1968 at Thu 25 Oct 2007, 10:15 AM in Tess of the d'Urbervilles || 1 Reply

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Tess of the d'Urbervilles

(1891)

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