Alec

• "My beauty"

  "My pretty girl"

  "My pretty coz"

  - Tess arrives to Trantridge and has her first encounter with Alec.

  - On her first encounter with him and the first time Alec addresses her, he directly focuses on his physical attraction towards her, making his aims and aspirations with her clear. It is obvious that Alec lacks the basic respect of addressing a woman and treating a woman, rather, he makes his patriarchal and misogynistic views regarding female appearances known from the very beginning. It is clear that he is a threat to Tess especially because of the on-going focus on her appearance which suggests that her beauty will be a nuisance to her and will potentially cause disaster.

  - Tess is clearly vulnerable. Her beauty is easily preyed upon and we see Alec begin to groom her by objectifying her.

  - NOTE: Initially was "my big beauty" but had to be censored because of Victorian values.

  - Every time Alec addresses her, he addresses her with terms which focus on her physical appearance. Tess is young and naive and Alec is dropping sexual innuendos that prove his passion.

  - Moreover, in making his attraction towards Tess obvious, it is clear that Alec does not fear social condemnation. As an upper-class man, religious morality and Victorian morality was inapplicable as, typical of a wealthy man, he is able to use his wealth to manipulate people. It is almost as if he lacks shame.
• "He asked her if she liked strawberries."

  "When they come" said Tess.


  - Strawberries are a symbol for sex and promiscuity. Their redness also alludes to passion and foreshadows danger.

  - In replying that she likes "strawberries" "when they come", Hardy suggests that the strawberry Tess is being fed is out of season therefore, this is reflective of Tess' innocence and childhood being Tess' current season, and that she is not ready to pursue anything romantic.

  - The strawberries being out of season also suggests that Alec is trying to ruin nature's order of things, implying that Tess should not be with Alec.

  - Alec replies stating that "they are already here" showing Alec's social class and the extent of his wealth, allowing him to control the season with green houses. He has control over things - foreshadowing his control over Tess.
• "I would rather take it in my own hand."

  "Nonsense! (Alec) she parted her lips and took it in."


  - Tess' character is beginning to shift. It is clear that she is now abandoning her attributes and behaviours as an active character as seen at the beginning of the novel, and is becoming a passive, powerless and weak character, accepting her fate. Despite telling Alec, that she does not want to give into a controversial act - her being fed by another man - and would rather "take it in [her] own hand", yet still gives into the act and follows his command, Tess shows a level of submission and powerlessness against Alec.

  - Why is Tess submissive? It could be argued because of her weakness for her family and siblings, out of fears of disappointing them, she remains submissive to Alec because she knows he is her only hope for financial freedom for her family.

  - In ignoring Tess' request to not be fed the strawberry, Hardy also makes us aware of the level of patriarchy and the importance of it throughout the novel. Tess' submission and Alec's assertion of power over Tess foreshadows his assertion of power over her throughout the novel due to his ability to prey on her weakness (her poverty) and seeks pleasure in her beauty.

  - Many would even argue that this is also a sign of Tess' fate being sealed. In giving into Alec, Tess challenges Victorian norms on female behaviour and thus can be argued that through this action, she seduces him.
• "Put your arms around my waist, my Beauty."

  "Let me put one little kiss on those holmberry lips."

  - Tess is being driven to Trantridge by Alec.

  - STRUCTURE: This happens whilst Tess is on a carriage to Trantridge with Alec. Thus, Alec puts Tess in a claustrophobic position and prevents her from escaping his predatory pressures knowing that should she escape she would never claim kin or get the benefits that come with it. Therefore, Tess is meant to remain obedient.

  - Alec is presented as being a predator, a threat and a danger to Tess, somebody that will cause her downfall. It is clear that Alec has physical attraction towards her, making his intentions know although it is not accepted and controversial.

  - It can be argued that Alec is open about his desires because of his social class. He can get away with anything as an upper-class man.

  - He is the one to initiate the physical contact and Tess remains passive; it is clear she is not attracted to him and it is also clear that the rape was initiated by him without him being seduced.

  - Tess as a victim of patriarchy and gender.

  - She attempts to fight her fate and her threat by remaining active, she states that she "doesn't want anybody to kiss [her].

  - Alec goes against her demand and non-consensually kisses her. It is clear that he sees women as tools for sexual pleasure and dehumanises them by abusing them sexually. This is the beginning of Tess' loss of innocence.
• "Cousin had a faint ring of mockery"


  - Deception; Tess and her family are deceived into believing that Tess is going to claim kin. It is clear that Tess' kin, Alec, has an ulterior-motive; an attraction to her which he will manipulate and use as a form of persuading Tess to give into his pleasures for her family's financial benefit.

  - Moreover, it can be argued that the mockery is a sign of Alec mistreating her and seeing her as a worthless character, undeserving of adequate treatment, rather, can be abused and manipulated for his own benefit. Assertion of social class.
• "I have been watching you from over the wall and putting up that pretty red mouth to whistling shape."

  - Predatory behaviour; Alec preys on Tess in every situation possible to the extent that she feels as if he cannot escape.

  - Sexual innuendo; oral sex. He over sexualises Tess' attempt to whistle.

  - The vulgar and detailed description makes us imagine her rape and makes Alec's desires evident. It is clear he wants to prey on her innocence.

  - Alec over exaggerates an innocent scene, Tess' innocence and uses it as a form of sexual pleasure for himself.
• "He knew that anything was better than frigidity."


  - On their journey to Trantridge after the Chaseborough Market, Alec asks Tess why she "dislikes my kissing you?". Tess responds that she is "angry with [him] sometimes."

  - Upon hearing this, Alec felt relieved that Tess' denial of affection was not frigidity, but rather, fear.

  - Alec as a predator who is after Tess sexually; it is clear he imagines partaking in sexual activity with her. Foreshadows her rape and her rape being actively brought onto her by Alec. Alec initiates.
• "You know that I love you and think you are the prettiest girl in the world, which you are. Mayn't I treat you as a lover?"

  - Alec's declaration of love to Tess. Significant to the tragedy -> Tess is an empathetic character which fears causing disappointment to those surrounding her. Thus, it can be argued that her empathy causes her to become passive towards Alec out of fear of disappointing him for denying his request.

  - It can also be argued that Alec's declaration of love is also a form of manipulation. He is aware of Tess' passivity, as well as weakness towards her family, desiring to help them, thus, in declaring his love to her, he puts her in an uncomfortable position and making her fear her loss of kin should she deny the request. She is reluctant to say yes or no, rather she says "I don't know - how can I say yes or no when -". Tess in a claustrophobic position
• "In which you are in the least need, the least difficulty, send me one line, and you shall have by return whatever you require."

  - Tess is leaving Trantridge after the rape incident. It is clear that Alec feels some sort of disappointment about her decision, and thus, results to his skills as a manipulator and predator.

  - Alec is an opportunistic, well-calculated and smart character who was able to discern Tess' weakness - her fatal flaw of being empathetic, selfless and active in helping her parents.

  - Thus, in offering Tess to provide her with "whatever [she] requires", Alec uses his manipulation to prey on her weakness for her family, in hopes that she may reconsider her choice of leaving Trantridge knowing he could provide her family and herself with all she needs. Thus, in attempting to buy Tess' love he also exploits her.

  - Although some may argue that Alec is exploitative in doing so, others would argue that his offer is admirable. In wanting to provide Tess with financial help after she leaves Trantridge, Alec presents a form of genuine love towards Tess. Perhaps to the extent that he cannot be blamed for raping her because he has love for her, thus, her rape was not driven by sexual desires.
• "You'll never love me, I fear."

  - Alec asks Tess about her love towards him before she leaves for Trantridge.

  - As Tess admits that she has never "truly loved him and never can", Alec "emits a laboured breath, as if the scenes were rather oppressive to his heart."

  - Thus, in putting Alec in an emotional position when hearing of Tess' true feelings towards him, it can be argued that Alec has true love for her as it causes him feelings of discomfort, having heard the truth. He is affected by her confession which suggests he truly loves her, and therefore, Tess can be seen as a tragic villain betraying the man whom offered her family a lot by leading him on. She perhaps seduced him to believe that she loves him.

  - Nevertheless, some may argue that this is also Alec's attempt to emotionally manipulate Tess. In questioning her of her love, perhaps Alec wants to persuade her/manipulate her into loving him because of all he has done for him.

  - Alec is also smart and well-calculated in the sense that he is aware that Tess is empathetic and passive and therefore hopes that his sadness with her confession would manipulate her into pitying him and love him.

  - It is also important to note that this confession also creates a sense of insecurity within Alec. As an upper-class man, he is able to assert power over others, like Tess' character through his financial situation. Thus, in seeing that his wealth did not win Tess over, Alec feels insecure as a wealthy man who usually gets what he wants. It knocks over his pride.
• "I should not look too often on you. It might be dangerous."

  
  

  "Put your hand upon that stone hand and swear that you will never tempt me."

  - Tess' encounter with Alec after failing to meet with her in laws.

  - It is important to acknowledge the fact that now, Alec is a converted Christian man who preaches for the morality of people and them living a Christian life. Thus, he is a changed person.

  - However, it is also important to consider that although he is a changed character, we begin to question whether he actually has changed. Whilst he has changed morally, he does not change his attitude towards Tess and his misogynistic/patriarchal view of women. Similar to the beginning of the novel, Tess is presented as a temptress because of her beauty. At the beginning of the novel, it is Tess' physical appearance, her face and her submissive nature that tempts Alec.

  - Therefore, in presenting Tess as a temptress, Tess is seen as a danger and threat to men. This however, is ironic; Alec was a danger to her and still is dangerous to her. Her past was ruined by him and her future is ruined by him.

  - Once again, he does not take responsibility or blame for his actions. He puts himself in a position of a pure, innocent and changed man, incapable of sinning. Tess is blamed entirely.

  - Reference to Adam and Eve? Men as victims of female failures.
• "A marriage licence."

  - Alec proposes to Tess. NOTE: The way he proposes to Tess is important. His proposal is VERY similar to Angel's. He asks to marry Tess because she is seen as a good companion for his missionary work in South Africa.

  - Structurally important: Alec is now a convert of Christianity. It can be argued that in encountering Tess and asking her to marry him as a Christian, Alec attempts to save himself from sin by marrying the woman whom he raped. His proposal to her may not be seen as genuine. Rather, his proposal can be seen as a means for him to achieve salvation and repent for his sins.

  - Others may argue that the marital proposal is what makes Alec admirable. Despite mistreating her and raping her, we see throughout the novel that Alec wants to provide for her and take care of her as his own wife, suggesting his love for her at the very beginning of the novel was not just a sexual, physical love but also an emotional love.

  - NOTE: Tess denies the offer. She tells Alec she "has married". She is no longer submissive and passive. She no longer fears for her life and for her future as a working class woman. Her past experiences have given her the power to become an active character and stand up for herself, and thus, she does not give into Alec's offers anymore.
• "Tess, I was on the way to at least, social salvation till I saw you again! Why have you tempted me?"


  - Alec is a complex character to understand; he loves Tess but hates that is tempted by her. Thus, it can be argued that his temptation by Tess is all an act. He knows Tess well and her nature; he knows that she hates disappointing or hurting people. Therefore, in telling Tess that she is a temptress, perhaps Alec attempts to make her feel guilty for what she has done to him, in hopes that she will give into his offers as a way of saving herself from being seen as a temptress?

  - Patriarchal/Misogynistic view. A distorted version of Genesis and the downfall of Adam at the hands of Eve. Women as dangerous beings.

  - It could be argued that Alec's sense of desperation is a true testimony to his religion. Despite Tess' belief that Alec has converted himself to secure his "place in heaven", in being angry at Tess' presence, it can be argued that Alec is a truly changed character who does not want to sin.

  - Alec presents himself as a victim; mirror of the beginning of the novel.
• "You have done nothing except retain your pretty face and shapely figure."

  - Although Alec is a convert, his description of Tess is far from pure and innocent. Rather, his description of Tess presents himself as being sexually attracted and infatuated with Tess, a reflection of Alec before his conversion.

  - Once again, we do not understand Alec as a character. He blames Tess for making him sin and he wants not to sin, yet he is the one who seems more tempted than Tess?

  - Objectifies Tess; still embodies patriarchy and misogyny.

  - Tess beauty as a nuisance and the reason for her downfall?