Tess of the d'Urbervilles | Summary
Part One—An Insignificant Incident and Its Consequences
Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles begins with a seemingly insignificant incident: John Durbeyfield, a middle-aged peddler, is informed during a chance encounter on his way home one May evening that he is the descendent of an "ancient and knightly family," the d'Urbervilles. On learning this "useless piece of information," Sir John has a horse and carriage fetched for him so that he can arrive home in a manner more befitting his new station. He then goes out drinking, getting so drunk that he is...
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- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Introduction
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Summary
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Overview
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Thomas Hardy Biography
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Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the First: The Maiden, Chapters 1–4: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the First: The Maiden, Chapters 5–11: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Second: Maiden No More, Chapters 12–15: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Third: The Rally, Chapters 16–19: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Third: The Rally, Chapters 20–24: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Fourth: The Consequence, Chapters 25–29: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Fourth: The Consequence, Chapters 30–34: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Fifth: The Woman Pays, Chapters 35–44: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Sixth: The Convert, Chapters 45–52: Summary and Analysis
- Phase the Seventh: Fulfillment, Chapters 53–59: Summary and Analysis
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Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Quizzes
- Phase the First: The Maiden, Chapters 1–4: Questions and Answers
- Phase the First: The Maiden, Chapters 5–11: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Second: Maiden No More, Chapters 12–15: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Third: The Rally, Chapters 16–19: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Third: The Rally, Chapters 20–24: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Fourth: The Consequence, Chapters 25–29: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Fourth: The Consequence, Chapters 30–34: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Fifth: The Woman Pays, Chapters 35–44: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Sixth: The Convert, Chapters 45–52: Questions and Answers
- Phase the Seventh: Fulfillment, Chapters 53–59: Questions and Answers
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Themes
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Style
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Historical Context
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Critical Overview
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Character Analysis
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Essays and Criticism
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Suggested Essay Topics
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Sample Essay Outlines
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Compare and Contrast
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Topics for Further Study
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Media Adaptations
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: What Do I Read Next?
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Bibliography and Further Reading
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- Copyright
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