Tess of the d'Urbervilles | Themes
Fate and Chance
The characters in Hardy's novel of seduction, abandonment, and murder appear to be under the control of a force greater than they. Marlott is Tess's home and, as the name of the town implies, her lot in life appears be marred or damaged. As the novel opens, Tess's father, John Durbeyfield, learns that he is the last remaining member of the once illustrious d'Urberville family. The parson who tells him admits he had previously "resolved not to disturb [Durbeyfield] with such a useless piece of information," but he is unable to control his "impulses." This...
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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
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: Pictures
- Copyright
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