Tess of the D'Urbervilles Summary

Introduction

Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles was initially published as a serial in the Graphic (July-December 1891) before being collected in three volumes the following year. Because Hardy believed that the novel's heroine was a noble victim of a strict Victorian moral system, it was entitled A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented. It is now regarded as Hardy's masterpiece and broke with traditional Victorian literature by emphasizing the rural lower class and treating sexuality and religion openly.

About Author

Thomas Hardy OM, an English author and poet, lived from 2 June 1840 to 11 January 1928. A Victorian realist in the mould of George Eliot, he was influenced by Romanticism, notably William Wordsworth's poetry, in both his books and his poetry. He was extremely critical of many aspects of Victorian society, particularly the deteriorating position of rural Brits like those from his own region of South West England.

Although Hardy considered himself primarily a poet and composed poetry throughout his life, his first collection was not released until 1898. He first became well-known as the author of books like Jude the Obscure (1895), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), and Far from the Madding Crowd (1874).

Younger poets (especially the Georgians) who looked up to Hardy during his lifetime praised his poetry. Following his passing, Ezra Pound, W. H. Auden, and Philip Larkin praised his poetry.

Summary

John Durbeyfield, a homeless street vendor, is shocked to discover that he is a member of the d'Urbervilles, a legendary noble family. His oldest daughter, Tess, joins the other village girls for the May Day dance when she fleetingly catches the attention of a young guy. Tess is sent to the d'Urberville home by Mr Durbeyfield and his wife in the hopes that Mrs. d'Urberville would make Tess rich. Mrs. d'Urberville is actually completely unrelated to Tess; her husband, the businessman Simon Stokes, just adopted the d'Urberville surname once he retired.

But Tess is unaware of this information, and when Mrs. d'Urberville's lustful son Alec secures Tess a position tending poultry on the d'Urberville estate, Tess is forced to accept since she feels responsible for an accident involving the family's horse, which is their sole source of money.

Tess works at this job for several months while fending off Alec's advances. After a fair, Alec finally takes advantage of her in the woods. Tess is aware that she despises Alec. In order to give birth to Alec's kid, whom she names Sorrow, she returns to her family at home. Soon after his birth, Sorrow passes away, and Tess endures a difficult year at home before deciding to look for employment abroad. At last, she consents to a position as a milkmaid at Talbothays Dairy.

Tess has a time of serenity and happiness at Talbothays. Izz, Retty, and Marian, three of her fellow milkmaids, become close friends with her. She also meets a man named Angel Clare, who turns out to be the man from the May Day dance at the book's commencement. Slowly falling in love is Tess and Angel. During Tess's time at Talbothays, they become closer, and she finally agrees to his marriage proposal. She still feels compelled to inform Angel about her past due to guilt issues. She draughts him a confessional message and tucks it under his door, but Angel never sees it since it slid under the carpet.

Following their wedding, Angel and Tess both come clean about their transgressions: Tess learns about Angel's relationship with Alec, and Angel informs her about his romance with an older lady in London. Angel is incapable of forgiving Tess, but Tess forgives Angel. He offers her some cash before boarding a ship for Brazil, where he hopes to start a farm. Tess is told that he would strive to understand her background, but he cautions her against joining him until he comes for her.

Tess has trouble. She struggles to find employment and is eventually forced to accept a position at an unpleasant and unsuccessful farm. She attempts to see Angel's family but departs after hearing his brothers complain about Angel's unhappy marriage. When she hears Alec d'Urberville, who was converted to Christianity by Angel's father, the Reverend Clare, speak, she is shocked to learn that he is the itinerant preacher. After their experience, Alec and Tess are both traumatized, and Alec horrifyingly begs Tess not to entice him ever again. Soon later, he turns his back on his religious practices and begs Tess to marry him once more.

When Tess finds out via her sister Liza-Lu that her mother is in danger of passing away, she is compelled to go back home and take care of her. Her mother gets well, but shortly after, her father passes away unexpectedly. Alec gives assistance as the family is forced to leave their home. Tess, however, declines since she is aware that he merely wants to bind her to him once again.

Finally, Angel chooses to pardon his wife. He departs Brazil in an effort to track her down. he locates her mother, who informs him that Tess has moved to the community of Sandbourne. He meets Tess there in the opulent boardinghouse known as The Herons and tells her he has forgiven her before pleading with her to take him back. He has arrived too late, Tess explains. She couldn't help herself and returned to Alec d'Urberville. Tess walks upstairs and fatally stabs her beloved after Angel departs in a fog. She is so devastated that she has reached the verge of insanity. Landlady raises the alarm after discovering Alec's death, but Tess has already left to look for Angel.

Angel agrees to assist Tess despite having trouble accepting that she had killed Alec. They spend a few days hiding out at a deserted mansion before continuing their journey. Tess falls asleep when they arrive at Stonehenge, but a search team doesn't find them until long after dawn. Tess is taken into custody and imprisoned. As a black flag is hoisted over the jail to announce Tess's execution, Angel and Liza-Lu observe.

Conclusion

Hardy uses the economic, gender, and social classes of the 19th century to highlight Tess' and the other characters' identities in this book. These elements still shape people's lives today. Based on some of these characteristics, children frequently associate themselves with others at school.

High social class and wealthy family backgrounds students often associate with one another. This can be the case since they can afford to hang out together, like visiting pricey hangout spots. A student from a low-income home is hardly ever seen hanging out with these privileged classmates.

FAQ's

1. What lesson does Tess of the D'Urbervilles teach us about morality?

"Never act unethically for moral reasons." This sage advice from Thomas Hardy perfectly captures his ongoing personal critique of Victorian society throughout his contentious literary career.

2. Who is Tess's father?

John Durbeyfield. The Father of Tess is a sluggish Marlott street vendor. John dislikes work despite being naturally quick. He is eager to try to capitalize on the fact that he is a member of the d'Urbervilles' noble family after learning this.

3. Is the book Tess feminist?

Tess of the D'Urbervilles may be viewed as a feminist text if the book is interpreted in this way. This is because of the basically patriarchal nature of the culture that condemns Tess as unclean. She is too complicated to be comprehended by a culture that labels women as "virgins" or "whores."