Arts:Books
Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy is a tragic novel that tells the story of a young woman named Tess Durbeyfield. Tess comes from a poor rural family and is sent to work for the wealthy d'Urberville family. It is revealed that Tess's ancestors were once a powerful and noble family, but they have since lost their wealth and status.
While working for the d'Urbervilles, Tess catches the attention of Alec d'Urberville, who seduces her and takes advantage of her innocence. Tess becomes pregnant with Alec's child but eventually runs away and gives birth to a sickly baby who dies shortly after birth.
Tess tries to start a new life and finds work as a dairy farm worker, where she meets and falls in love with Angel Clare, a gentleman from a respected family. They get married, but Tess is haunted by her past with Alec and eventually confesses her past to Angel. Angel, unable to forgive Tess, leaves her and goes to Brazil.
Tess, heartbroken and desperate, returns to Alec and they reunite. However, Angel returns from Brazil and learns of their relationship. In a fit of rage and jealousy, Angel murders Alec and Tess is arrested for his murder.
Tess is found guilty and is sentenced to death. She is executed, and her body is buried in an unmarked grave. The novel ends with the words "Justice was done."
Chapter 2:the meaning of Tess of the d'Urbervilles bookTess of the d'Urbervilles, written by Thomas Hardy, is a novel that explores themes of love, fate, societal expectations, and the sexual double standards of Victorian England.
The story revolves around the protagonist, Tess Durbeyfield, who is from a poor rural family. When her father discovers their noble lineage, he sends Tess to the wealthy d'Urberville family to claim kinship and secure their financial future. There, Tess encounters Alec d'Urberville, a manipulative and opportunistic man who takes advantage of her innocence and seduces her.
As the story progresses, Tess meets Angel Clare, a young gentleman with progressive ideas about social status and gender roles. They fall in love and get married, but Tess is haunted by the secret of her past encounters with Alec. When she confides in Angel, he reacts with shock and rejects her, unable to accept her past actions due to his idealized expectations of women's virtue.
Throughout the novel, Hardy criticizes the oppressive moral code of Victorian society, which held women accountable for their sexuality while allowing men to indulge in similar behavior with few consequences. Tess becomes a tragic figure, condemned and punished for her actions while the men in her life largely escape judgment.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles explores themes of fate and the idea that an individual's life is subject to forces beyond their control. Tess is often portrayed as a victim of circumstances, battling against societal expectations, patriarchal dominance, and the weight of her family's history.
Overall, the novel reflects Hardy's commentary on the inequalities of Victorian society and the challenges faced by women like Tess who were trapped by their circumstances. It highlights the hypocrisy and injustices prevalent in the society of the time and presents a narrative that is both tragic and thought-provoking.
Chapter 3:Tess of the d'Urbervilles book chaptersChapter 1: The story begins in the village of Marlott, where a poor family named the Durbeyfields live. They discover that they are descendants of the ancient d'Urberville family and decide to send their daughter Tess to seek help from a rich relative, Mrs. d'Urberville.
Chapter 2: Tess is sent to Mrs. d'Urberville's house, Trantridge, to ask for financial help. On the way, she encounters a horse carriage and is almost run over. The man driving the carriage, Alec d'Urberville, takes an interest in her and insists on offering her a job.
Chapter 3: Tess starts working as a poultry keeper at Trantridge. Alec continually pursues Tess despite her resistance. In the meantime, Tess meets a young man named Angel Clare, with whom she instantly forms a connection.
Chapter 4: Tess confides in her mother about Alec's advances, but her mother advises her to ignore him and continue working. Tess becomes more aware of Alec's predatory nature and becomes increasingly uncomfortable around him.
Chapter 5: Tess accompanies Mrs. d'Urberville to a club meeting, where she sees Angel Clare again. They engage in a conversation about social issues and education. Tess is deeply attracted to Angel and hopes to be accepted into the education program he plans to pursue.
Chapter 6: Tess's father dies, and she returns to her family. Out of financial desperation, she agrees to accompany the other milkmaids to a local dairy farm called Talbothays.
Chapter 7: Tess begins to work at Talbothays and adjusts to the rural lifestyle. She gets to know Angel better and they develop a strong bond. Tess reveals her past to Angel, including her previous liaison with Alec.
Chapter 8: Tess tries to convince Angel that her past does not define her. They declare their love for each other and become engaged. Tess's guilt over her past begins to weigh on her.
Chapter 9: Angel confesses to Tess that he has had relationships with other women before, which deeply upsets her. Tess begs Angel to forgive her for her past mistakes.
Chapter 10: Angel believes Tess is his ideal woman and decides to propose to her again. Tess, still haunted by her past, feels unworthy of his love but eventually accepts his proposal.
Chapter 11: Tess learns about Angel's plans to travel to Brazil in search of a new life. She worries that her past indiscretions will ruin their relationship, but Angel reassures her of his love and forgiveness.
Chapter 12: Tess and Angel get married, and they have a short blissful honeymoon period. Tess's guilt resurfaces, and she decides to confess her past to Angel, hoping for his continued forgiveness.
Chapter 13: Angel's reaction to Tess's confession is not what she expects. He becomes judgmental and tells her that he cannot accept her past actions. Tess feels devastated and betrayed.
Chapter 14: Tess tries to make amends with Angel, but he insists on leaving her to travel to Brazil alone. She begs him to take her with him, but he refuses, leaving her heartbroken.
Chapter 15: Tess returns to her family in Marlott, and they are shocked to learn about her failed marriage. She decides to move away and starts working as a farm laborer.
Chapter 16: Alec pays Tess a surprise visit, hoping to rekindle their relationship. Tess is hesitant but, due to her desperation, agrees to stay with him temporarily.
Chapter 17: Tess gives birth to a child and names him Sorrow. The child falls ill and dies, further deepening Tess's depression and guilt.
Chapter 18: Tess decides to leave Alec and returns to Marlott, but her family wants nothing to do with her. She seeks refuge at a dairy farm, where she is treated with kindness by the dairy workers.
Chapter 19: Tess's reputation as a fallen woman begins to spread, and she becomes isolated and ostracized by society. She decides to leave Marlott and travels to a new town called Sandbourne.
Chapter 20: Tess finds work at a dairy farm called Talbothays, where she is appreciated for her skills. She begins to rebuild her life and finds solace in her work.
Chapter 21: Tess meets Angel's younger brothers, who are studying at a nearby college. They inform her that Angel is not in Brazil as he had planned but rather in London, depressed and disillusioned.
Chapter 22: Tess decides to write to Angel, confessing her love for him and expressing her desire to be reunited. She sends the letter but receives no response.
Chapter 23: Dissatisfied with her life in Sandbourne, Tess decides to travel to Angel's parents' house in Emminster. She hopes that Angel will come back to her, and they can start anew.
Chapter 24: Tess arrives at Angel's parents' house and receives a cold reception from his family. She discovers that Angel is not home, and his parents advise her to leave and never return.
Chapter 25: Desperate and homeless, Tess decides to find work again. She encounters Alec but refuses his advances, vowing to remain faithful to Angel.
Chapter 26: Tess gives birth to a child, but the baby dies soon after. She wanders aimlessly until she is arrested for the murder of Alec, who has been found dead.
Chapter 27: Tess is put on trial for the murder of Alec. The circumstances of his death and the events leading up to it are revealed in court.
Chapter 28: Tess is found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. In her final moments, she hallucinates about her past and declares her love for Angel.
Chapter 29: Tess is executed, and her body is taken to her family's graveyard. Angel arrives too late to save her and is devastated by her death.
Chapter 30: The story ends with Angel and Tess's sister, Liza-Lu, mourning Tess's death and contemplating their own lives.
Chapter 4: Quotes of Tess of the d'Urbervilles book- "Did it never strike your mind that what every woman says, some women may feel?"
- "Justice was done, and the President of the Immortals...had ended his sport with Tess."
- "Why didn't you tell me there was danger? Why didn't you warn me? Ladies know what to guard against, because they read novels that tell them of these tricks."
- "He dotes on the first woman he sees, and she has no worthy approach to him. Tess is too good for him. No, no; she is not, either—too good for him. There is a justice in these things, and she is not too good."
- "My life looks as if it had been wasted for want of chances! When I see what you know, what you have read, and seen, and thought, I feel what a nothing I am!"
- "But some women only require an emergency to make them fit for one. Tess had jumped up, and now hastily dressed herself."
- "It was the natural - though humiliating - result of closeness to the world, and closeness to books. It seemed to be inherent in the very act of thought with her."
- "Did it never strike your mind that what every woman says, some women may feel?"
- "You have been the cause of my undoing!...I have lost my good name, my shame, and my self-respect—you have both driven me to it... Isn't it enough? Why, Tess, why?"
- "Tess Durbeyfield, you are not the first poor fool that a villain has put upon her affection and heart; but you are the first that ever did it to herself."
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