Write a short note on the significance of Prince’s Death.
In "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" (1891) by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), the death of Prince, a horse, holds significant symbolic and emotional value in the story. Prince, the D'Urberville family's horse, is more than just an animal. He portrays the fate and tragedy that tracks Tess throughout her life.
Firstly, the Prince's death marks the beginning of Tess's misfortune. When Tess, the novel's protagonist, is sent to work for the wealthy D'Urberville family, Prince brings her to their estate. His death on the journey foreshadows the tragic events that will develop in Tess's life. It fixes the tone for the novel's themes of cruelty and suffering.
Secondly, the Prince's death indicates Tess's vulnerability and victimization. She is forced to work at the D'Urberville manor, and her connection to Prince highlights her subservient position. When he dies, Tess feels responsible, even
though it was not her fault. This sense of guilt and blame predicts the guilt she carries throughout the story for her perceived sins.
Furthermore, the Prince's death stresses the harshness of rural life and the wealthy's exploitation of the lower class. The D'Urberville family's disregard for Prince's life reflects their indifference to Tess's well-being. This social commentary highlights the novel's critique of Victorian society's class divisions and the suffering of the working class.
Lastly, Prince's death is a turning point in Tess's life. It forces her to leave her job at the D'Urberville estate, setting her on a path that ultimately leads to her tragic downfall. The horse's demise represents the loss of innocence and the beginning of Tess's troubled journey.
In conclusion, Prince's death is not just a random event but a symbol of the novel's central themes of fate, victimization, and the harsh realities of Victorian society. It marks the start of Tess's tragic story and performs as a powerful literary device that adds depth and meaning to the story.
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