Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Novel | Thomas Hardy

Short note on Angel Clare’s Sleep-walking scene

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Short note on Angel Clare s Sleep-walking scene In Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy - one of the most memorable and haunting scenes is Angel Clare's sleepwalking episode This scene happens during a central moment in the story It shows Angel's character's inner turmoil and conflict Angel Clare is a complex character in the novel torn between his ideological beliefs and societal expectations He falls in love with Tess a poor and innocent country girl but their relationship faces numerous challenges The sleepwalking scene occurs after Angel has abandoned Tess She is struggling with the consequences of her past actions In this scene Angel dwells at a dairy farm where he meets Tess again after their separation As he sleeps he experiences a vivid and disturbed dream He sleepwalks out of his room and into the garden In his dream he sees a vision of Tess bathed in

moonlight This vision means his conflicted feelings towards Tess his zeal for her and his realization of the injustice he has done to her The sleepwalking scene is meaningful because it symbolizes Angel's internal struggle and the awakening of his true feelings for Tess It demonstrates the depth of his love for her and his remorse for abandoning her when she most needed him This scene also highlights the theme of fate and destiny as societal criteria and expectations drive Angel's actions but his subconscious mind desires Tess In short Angel Clare's sleepwalking scene is a powerful moment in the story It shows how Angel left Tess still loves her deeply even though he tries to deny his feelings The scene appears in a dream where he sees Tess as an unnatural figure which signifies his inner conflict and regret This scene reminds us that love can be complicated and societal pressures can lead us to make choices that we later regret

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Thomas Hardy
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