Chapter 8

• -    "Out of the frying pan into the fire!"- This proverb reflects Tess’s worsening situation as she tries to avoid Alec’s advances. No matter what choices she makes, Tess finds herself in dangerous situations, illustrating Hardy's theme of inevitable suffering for his heroine.
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  -    "She could not understand why he should talk so insidiously, but she put it down to his coarse grain."-Tess is still naive and tries to rationalize Alec’s inappropriate behaviour as a personality flaw. This shows how her innocence blinds her to the real threat Alec poses to her.
• -    "He kissed her again and again."- Alec’s repeated, unwanted kisses are symbolic of his power and Tess’s helplessness. This moment foreshadows the tragic events to come, where Tess’s autonomy is completely overridden by Alec’s predatory behaviour.