Chapter 4

• What does Joan's desire to marry her daughter for status and wealth signify in the context of the 19th century?


  It reflects the social oppression of the class system and the role of women as conduits for familial wealth.
• How was marriage viewed in the 19th century according to the study material?


  Marriage was viewed as a business contract.
• How does Joan's use of the fortune book relate to the theme of fate in Tess's life?


  It emphasizes that Tess's future seems unavoidable and predetermined.
• What does Tess's description of the world as "blighted" signify?


  • Connotes destruction and pain
  • Reflects Tess's painful circumstances
  • Highlights the contrast between innocence and reality
• What does Tess's conversation with Abraham about "blighted stars" suggest about her fate?


  It suggests that her fate is preordained by circumstance and cannot be escaped.
• How does the adjective "blighted" relate to Tess's experiences in the novel?


  It reflects the pain and destruction she faces, such as poverty and abuse.
• What event is described as the inciting incident that leads to Tess's downfall?


  Prince's death.
• What does Prince symbolize in the context of the story?


  He symbolizes the destruction of nature and the impact of modernity.
• How does Prince's death relate to the theme of nobility in the novel?


  It shows that even noble beings are reduced to menial labor in the face of modernity.