Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Novel | Thomas Hardy
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Short note on Sorrow’s Death and Burial

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What do you know about Sorrow's death and burial? [NU: 2022]

In Hardy's (1840-1928) novel “Tess of the d'Urbervilles” (1891), Sorrow was Tess’s little baby. He was born after Tess returned from Trantridge. Alec d’Urberville was the baby’s father as a result of the rape. But Alec did not take any responsibility. Tess named the child “Sorrow” because he was born in sadness. His short life and lonely burial are one of the saddest parts of the novel.

The Baby Becomes Sick: Tess’s baby was weak and small. He became sick because Tess was very poor. She tried her best to take care of him, but the baby’s condition got worse. Tess became afraid that her child would die. She also feared that the baby would die without being baptized and would not go to heaven

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Tess Baptizes Him Herself: Tess asked the local priest to baptize the child. But the priest refused because the baby was born outside marriage. So, Tess did it herself. She cried and named him “Sorrow.” She believed that the baptism would save his soul. Her little brothers and sisters stood around, watching sadly. It was a deeply emotional moment. Tess says,

“SORROW, I baptize thee in the name of the Father (God)...”

Sorrow’s Death and Lonely Burial: The baby died the next morning. Tess begged the priest to bury him in the churchyard. But the priest refused again. Finally, he allowed the baby to be buried at the corner of the churchyard, without a proper Christian ceremony. After the burial, Tess secretly planted flowers at the grave. This shows are love and sadness for the baby.

In short, Sorrow’s death and burial show Tess’s deep pain and loneliness. She did everything a mother could do. Even though society rejected her, she showed great love and faith as a mother.

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Thomas Hardy
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from Tess of the d'Urbervilles