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 sense of morality. Hardy emphasizes that true knowledge goes beyond formal schooling, especially in the case of Angel. Unlike his brother, Cuthbert Clare, a classical scholar who marries the "priggish" Mercy Chant, Angel, despite not having a college degree, sees Tess's real worth and wisely chooses her over Mercy's piousness. When Angel later rejects Tess after their marriage, it is because her confession "surprised [him] back into his early teachings," reflecting the strict moral beliefs taught by his father. Therefore, true knowledge involves understanding both others and oneself, which is essential for happiness. The village parson refuses to perform a Christian burial for Tess's infant because he "was a newcomer, and did not know her." When Angel leaves Tess, "he...hardly knew that he loved her still."