Themes: Fate and Chance

In Hardy's novel, the themes of seduction, abandonment, and murder indicate that the characters are controlled by an overwhelming force. Tess's hometown, Marlott, symbolically mirrors her troubled destiny. The story begins with Tess's father, John Durbeyfield, discovering he is the last descendant of the once-prominent d'Urberville family. The parson who shares this information admits he initially "resolved not to disturb [Durbeyfield] with such...

Themes: Culture Clash

In Tess's time, the surge of industrialization in cities was negatively impacting life in rural areas. Hardy explores this theme in several ways. The clear distinction between the countryside (seen as positive) and the city (viewed as negative) is reflected in Tess's last names. When Tess represents pure innocence, she carries the surname "Durbeyfield," suggesting she is "of the field." The name "d'Urberville," which merges "urban" and "village,"...

Themes: Knowledge and Ignorance

Knowledge, whether it comes from formal education or natural understanding, often creates a divide between those who grasp the reality of a situation and those who remain unaware. Tess and Angel experience a sense of separation from their parents, who appear stuck in their traditional beliefs and unable to accept new ideas. The intellectual gap between Tess, who has been educated, and her mother is significant, further widened by Tess's strong...

Themes: Natural Law

Hardy draws a distinction between superficial knowledge and a profound understanding that nurtures awareness of others' needs and desires, highlighting a natural law that stands apart from human constructs. Throughout the novel, he frequently insists that Tess's experiences clash not with nature, but with societal norms. After Tess returns home pregnant following her encounter with Alec, she chooses to walk in the countryside during the evening,...

Themes: God and Religion

The "arbitrary law of society" critiqued by Hardy originates from organized religion. Most of his religious characters are portrayed as devout hypocrites, with the notable exception of Angel's father, who appears genuinely kind-hearted. The local parson's hypocritical behavior compels Tess to bury her child in the cemetery section reserved for drunkards and suicides. Alec's role as a preacher serves as a barely concealed critique of those who...

Themes: Sex

In Victorian society, conversations about sex were generally avoided. However, Hardy argued that omitting sex from mainstream literature led to "a literature of quackery." In Tess, sex is often linked to nature and depicted as an inherent part of life. Tess's seduction by Alec takes place in The Chase, an ancient forest that precedes the moral codes of society. The valley of the Froom, where Talbothays is located, is described as so rich and...

Themes: Determinism and Fate

In the final paragraph of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Hardy emphasizes his central theme with a directness that some critics have criticized for lacking subtlety: the "President of the Immortals, in the Aeschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess." In the serialized version, this was expressed even more bluntly: "'Justice' was done, and Time, the Arch-satirist, had had his joke out with Tess." Hardy is referring to Tess's execution for the...

Themes: Improbable Coincidences

Similar to many of Hardy's works, Tess of the D'Urbervillesis filled with a succession of unlikely coincidences at the plot level. In any context other than one that assumes a deterministic universe, the frequency and significance of these coincidences and fateful events might seem melodramatic or at least extremely improbable for a narrative that aims to be realistic. One of the most unlikely coincidences involves the recurring appearances of...

Themes: Personal Responsibility and Choice

While coincidence impacts everyone, few experience its effects as intensely as Tess. Angel's serious illness in Brazil intensifies Tess's poverty and despair over his delayed return. Their extended separation leads to her father's death, her family's eviction, and Tess unwillingly becoming Alec's mistress to prevent her siblings from becoming homeless. Meanwhile, during a discussion with a free-spirited British settler in Brazil, the ailing...