Chapter 15

• 'He would never forgive her if he knew!' - Tess fears that Angel will hate her forever if he discovers the truth.
• Tess is now an experienced woman, but she still feels like a child
• What does Tess resolve to do after the death of her child?


  She resolves to move forward with her life.
• Why does Tess seek work far from her home?


  To escape her haunting memories and the judgment of the villagers.
• What does Tess's determination to start anew signify about her character?


  It shows her resilience despite her emotional struggles.
• What emotional states plague Tess despite her determination?


  She is plagued by doubt and self-blame.
• What does Tess cling to as she seeks a new path?


  She clings to hope.
• What is the significance of the quote, “She felt akin to the landscape as she walked along—a part of it.”?


  • Shows Tess's connection with nature
  • Contrasts with the rigid society that judges her
  • Reflects Hardy’s belief in Tess’s purity aligning with nature
• What does the line “In reality, she was drifting into acquiescence with her fate” suggest about Tess's character?


  • Indicates her resignation to circumstances
  • Signals growing fatalism
  • Emphasizes the theme of fate in Hardy's work
• What does Tess mean when she says, “I was a child when it happened. I knew nothing of men.”?


  • Reveals her inner struggle with guilt and innocence
  • Highlights her vulnerability during her encounter with Alec
  • Underscores the predatory nature of Alec's actions
• What societal critique does Hardy present through Tess's question, “Why did they not warn her? Why did they not warn the innocent country girl?”?


  • Critiques society's failure to protect women
  • Highlights feelings of betrayal by community and family
  • Challenges Victorian ideals of purity and ignorance
• What does Tess resolve to do after the death of her child?


  She resolves to move forward with her life.
• Why does Tess seek work far from her home?


  To escape her haunting memories and the judgment of the villagers.
• What does Tess's determination to start anew signify about her character?


  It shows her resilience despite her emotional struggles.
• What emotional states plague Tess despite her determination?


  She is plagued by doubt and self-blame.
• What does Tess cling to as she seeks a new path?


  She clings to hope.
• What does the quote "She felt akin to the landscape as she walked along—a part of it" reveal about Tess's connection to nature?


  • Tess has a profound connection with nature.
  • Her emotions mirror the natural elements around her.
  • Reflects her alienation from society.
  • Suggests her purity aligns more with nature than societal laws.
• What does the phrase "drifting into acquiescence with her fate" suggest about Tess's character?


  It suggests her growing fatalism and resignation to her circumstances.
• What does Tess's statement "I was a child when it happened. I knew nothing of men" reveal about her feelings of guilt and innocence?


  It reveals her vulnerability and ongoing inner struggle with guilt.
• How does Hardy use Tess's reflection on her past with Alec to highlight societal issues?


  He critiques the predatory nature of men and the lack of understanding women have about such dangers.
• What does the rhetorical question "Why did they not warn her? Why did they not warn the innocent country girl?" signify in the context of Tess's experiences?


  • Highlights societal failures in protecting women.
  • Reflects Tess's feelings of betrayal by her community.
  • Critiques Victorian ideals of purity and ignorance.
  • Emphasizes the vulnerability of women like Tess.
• 1. She felt akin to the landscape as she walked along—a part of it. As the winds blew, the earth breathed, the trees sighed, she sighed too.”
• In reality, she was drifting into acquiescence with her fate.”
• 1. “I was a child when it happened. I knew nothing of men.”
• 1. “Why did they not warn her? Why did they not warn the innocent country girl?”