Tess of the D'Urbervilles

By Thomas Hardy

Very slow going in the beginning but picks up after a while. However, I found it a little tedious on a few occasion. There are far too many detailed descriptions that could very easily have been left out all together. The style of writing is a little boring as well so at times it is more a chore than a pleasure to keep on reading. On a positive note the idea is okay and Tess does have many emotional complexities and has to face many emotional challenges. It is also interesting to see how her relationship with men changes when she lets her past get the best of her. The ending is surprising as well.

Tess Durbeyfield is the main character of the story. She is the daughter of the poor John Durbeyfield who learns from the village parson that his family is related to ancient nobility, being the last of the family the D’Urbervilles. In trying to make use of this connection Tess’ mother Joan, suggests that Tess pursue the son of the local family of Mrs D’Urberville, Alec D'Urberville. It later turns out the Mrs D’Urberville has merely taken the name for convenience. However, Alec falls in love with Tess and seduces her. They have a child together but the child soon dies. Because the child is illegitimate it cannot be baptised. Tess is told by her mother to never mention the rape or the child to anyone.

After the death of her child, Tess travels to a nearby town to start work on a farm. Here she meets the Reverend Mr Clare and his son Angel. Although she has promised herself never to fall in love again, she finally accepts Angel’s proposal and they get married. On their honeymoon night Tess confesses her dark and mysterious past to Angel, causing him to become jealous since Alec is still alive. He decides to go away until he can forgive Tess and leaves for Brasil. By chance Tess runs into Alec again but this time she refuses to talk to him and tell him of what she has done, something that leads to another attempt on Alec’s part to ensnare Tess.

The story finally ends with murder, escape and superficial impurity on the part of Tess, when she is finally brought to "justice".