Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Novel
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Thomas Hardy
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part One (Chapter I - XI)
Phase the First: The Maiden
Chapter I
On an evening in the latter part of May a middle-aged man was walking homeward from Shaston to the village of Marlott, in the adjoining Vale of Blakemore, or Blackmoor. The pair of legs that carried him were rickety, and there was a bias in his gait which inclined him somewhat to the left of a straight line. He occasionally gave a smart nod, as if in confirmat...
Read Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part One (Chapter I - XI)
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Two (Chapter XII - XV)
Phase the Second: Maiden No More
Chapter XII
The basket was heavy and the bundle was large, but she lugged them along like a person who did not find her especial burden in material things. Occasionally she stopped to rest in a mechanical way by some gate or post; and then, giving the baggage another hitch upon her full round arm, went steadily on again.
It was a Sunday morning in late October, abo...
Read Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Two (Chapter XII - XV)
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Three (Chapter XVI – XXIV)
Phase the Third: The Rally
Chapter XVI
On a thyme-scented, bird-hatching morning in May, between two and three years after the return from Trantridge—silent, reconstructive years for Tess Durbeyfield—she left her home for the second time.
Having packed up her luggage so that it could be sent to her later, she started in a hired trap for the little town of Stourcastle, through which it was necessar...
Read Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Three (Chapter XVI – XXIV)
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Four (Chapter XXV – XXXIV)
Phase the Fourth: The Consequence
Chapter XXV
Clare, restless, went out into the dusk when evening drew on, she who had won him having retired to her chamber.
The night was as sultry as the day. There was no coolness after dark unless on the grass. Roads, garden-paths, the house-fronts, the barton-walls were warm as hearths, and reflected the noontime temperature into the noctambulist’s face.
He s...
Read Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Four (Chapter XXV – XXXIV)
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Five (Chapter XXXV – XLIV)
Phase the Fifth: The Woman Pays
Chapter XXXV
Her narrative ended; even its re-assertions and secondary explanations were done. Tess’s voice throughout had hardly risen higher than its opening tone; there had been no exculpatory phrase of any kind, and she had not wept.
But the complexion even of external things seemed to suffer transmutation as her announcement progressed. The fire in the grate lo...
Read Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Five (Chapter XXXV – XLIV)
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Six (Chapter XLV – LII)
Phase the Sixth: The Convert
Chapter XLV
Till this moment she had never seen or heard from d’Urberville since her departure from Trantridge.
The rencounter came at a heavy moment, one of all moments calculated to permit its impact with the least emotional shock. But such was unreasoning memory that, though he stood there openly and palpably a converted man, who was sorrowing for his past irregular...
Read Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Six (Chapter XLV – LII)
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Seven (Chapter LIII – LIX)
Phase the Seventh: Fulfilment
Chapter LIII
It was evening at Emminster Vicarage. The two customary candles were burning under their green shades in the Vicar’s study, but he had not been sitting there. Occasionally he came in, stirred the small fire which sufficed for the increasing mildness of the spring, and went out again; sometimes pausing at the front door, going on to the drawing-room, then...
Read Tess of the d’Urbervilles Main Text Part Seven (Chapter LIII – LIX)
Tess of the d’Urbervilles Key Facts
Tess of the d’Urbervilles is a famous novel by Thomas Hardy. In this section, we will know several key information about the novel.
Key Facts
Full Title: Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented
Author: Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)
When Written: 1887-1891
Where Written: Dorchester, England
Published: 1891
Genre: Victorian Novel; Tragedy; Social Realism
Time Setti...
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Tess of the d’Urbervilles Summary
Phase the First: The Maiden
John Durbeyfield Hears About Family Lineage: The story begins with a poor man named John Durbeyfield. He is Tess’s father. One day, he is walking back home from work. He is tired as usual. On the way, he meets Parson Tringham, the local clergyman. Tringham stops John and tells him surprising news: the Durbeyfield family is actually descended from an old noble family cal...
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Tess of the d’Urbervilles Themes
Themes
Injustice and Social Criticism : In “Tess of the d’Urbervilles,” Hardy shows how unfair society is. Tess is a victim of Alec’s crime, yet people blame her instead of supporting her. She is judged for being “impure,” while men like Alec and Angel are easily forgiven. Society is harsh to women and the poor, but soft to the rich and powerful. Hardy criticizes this injustice through Tess’s life...
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Tess of the d’Urbervilles Characters
Characters
Main Characters
Tess Durbeyfield – The protagonist and tragic heroine. A poor country girl. Innocent and hardworking. Life treats her cruelly, though she does no real wrong. She is a pure woman.
Angel Clare – Son of a clergyman. Honest but proud. Wants to be a farmer, not a priest. He loves Tess but fails to support her when she needs him most.
Alec d’Urberville – A rich and se...
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Tess of the d’Urbervilles Literary Devices
Literary devices are essential parts of a literary work. In this section, we will focus on several important symbols of the novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
Symbols
D'Urberville Name: Symbolizes false aristocracy and social aspirations.
White: Represents Tess's innocence and purity.
Red: Symbolizes passion, sensuality, and violence.
Death of Prince: Symbolizes the misfortune of Tess' fami...
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Tess of the d’Urbervilles Quotes
Quotes
“You are the lineal representative of the ancient and knightly family of the d’Urbervilles…”
Exp: Parson Tringham tells John Durbeyfield that they are actually from a noble family called the d’Urbervilles. After hearing this, he becomes proud and lazy. Later, Tess’s parents send her to Alec d’Urberville’s family to seek help.
“‘Tis all my doing—all mine!’”
Exp: Here, Tess is blamin...
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Notes
Explore 24 detailed notes related to Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.