Tess

• "Go up to Rolliver's and see what has gone with father and mother."


  - The author makes us aware of the parental error Tess and her siblings are victims of. John Durbeyfield was at Rolliver's inn, disobeying his role as a father, indulging in self-pleasures such as drunkenness. Tess' mother too, Joan, joins her father a few hours later.

  - It is evident that the children are left by themselves, yet, this is a common occurrence to them. When Tess asks to make her way to "Rolliver's" she seems calm and collected and not in a state of panic. Should Tess have been in a Tess of panic, Hardy would have suggested that this is not a common occurrence. Yet, Tess' calm attitude and desire to find her parents suggests that this was a frequent incident.

  - Tess adopts a maternal role. In situations where her younger siblings become victims of parental neglect, Tess adopts a "deputy-maternal attitude". By emphasising this maternal attitude from the very beginning, the narrator ironically foreshadows Tess becoming a mother. Tess takes on a maternal role as a very young, teen, age. Could she be fated to be a mother because of her maternal instinct?

  - Ironically, in all the instances in which Tess adopts the maternal attitude, she is impacted negatively. Her initiative to go up to "Rolliver's" is what allows her fate to become negative. Had she not gone to find her parents, Prince's death could have been avoided. Ultimately, it can be argued that while most of the incidents happening to Tess are as a result of fate and her passivity, and poverty, the action which induced her fate into being a negative one is as a result of her erroneous judgement.

  - However, it is also important to focus on Tess' maternal instinct - one frequently experienced by females. In making Tess become a victim of her maternal instinct, Hardy implies that Tess' gender - being a female - is a bad omen. She is a victim.
• "Tess, their pretty eldest daughter had fine prospects in store."


  - Although beauty is typically something many females strive for, it can be visible that the deliberate focus on Tess' beauty will be a bad omen and a nuisance for her. In focusing on Tess' beauty frequently, and in making us aware that even her parents see her as beautiful, Hardy suggests that although Tess' will have marital prospects because of her physical looks, her physical looks will also be part of her downfall. It is evident because from the very beginning of the novel the narrator focuses on Tess' beauty. It is a reoccurring theme. We know she cannot escape objectification.

  - In being aware of their daughter's beauty and her having "fine prospects in store", it can be argued that Tess' parents begin to abandon their moral compass and ethics for the prospects which could benefit Tess and themselves as a family. NOTE: During the Victorian era, the most beautiful women had access to the wealthiest men. It was also believed that marriage was seen as a transaction, bringing the bride's family financial stability. Thus, it can be argued that this is a sign of parental error. Her parents are ready to exploit Tess' beauty for their financial benefit. Perhaps Tess is their only hope from escaping the burdens of working-class?

  - Their attitudes to beauty bringing fine prospects seem normalised. Her mother Joan, especially, does not disagree with this statement. Could it be argued that it is a common think for working-class women to be sold and thus, having to sacrifice their own freedom and will for their family's stability?

  - WORKING CLASS WOMEN AS VICTIMS OF PATRIARCHY AND POVERTY. What makes this novel tragic is Tess as a victim of patriarchy and poverty. They determine her life's actions.
• "A blighted one."

  - Abraham, Tess' brother asks Tess what star they live on - whether it is a "splendid or a blighted one?". Tess responds a "blighted one."

  - Tess' pessimism suggests that Tess has been exposed to many of life's hardships and inequalities during her life, changing her outlook on life to be a tragic one.

  - This quote also raises the question of fatalism, By telling Abraham that they live on a "blighted one", it is as if Tess believes that their bad fate has been sealed and that there is no possibility for happiness.

  - It could also be argued that in making Tess' pessimism evident to the readers from the very beginning of the novel, Hardy portrays Tess as passive. If Tess was not passive and was ready to face that struggles and challenges which she'd encounter as a result of poverty and parental error, perhaps her fate would have played out differently.

  - Yet, because Tess' stance seems so negative, Tess is presented as being powerless and hopeless in regards to changing her fate, implying she will accept her fate as it is and will not strive to change it. Could one of her fatal flaws be her passivity?
• "Father wouldn't have got too tipsy."


  - Abraham asks Tess what life would have been like if they had lived on a "sound" star.

  - Tess replies stating that her "father wouldn't have got too tipsy".

  - Tess makes it evident that one the reasons as to why the family suffers if because of her father's weak brains and inability to control himself when it comes to drinking, inevitably leading to their poverty. Is John spending most of his income on drinking?

  - The level of poverty is evident. Typically, working-class people tend to be less educated and thus, less unaware of the issues that come with drinking. The burdens of working-class families also lead people to use alcohol as a tool for escaping reality. Could John enjoy getting drunk as it is an escape from the reality of poverty?

  - Significant to the tragedy; parental error is one of the factors that moves the plot forward. Without her parent's journey to the inn, Tess would not have had to result to finding them. Her parents' error of judgement leads her to take actions which allow her negative fate to progress.

  - Significant to the tragedy; if her father did not struggle with drinking, all of this would have been prevented.
• "Tess was not skilful in the management of a horse, but she thought that she could take upon herself the entire conduct of the load for the present."


  - "She thought she could take upon herself the entire conduct of the load for the present" -> pride, confidence - fatal flaw? Whilst some may argue that this is a sign of Tess' pride and confidence, some may argue that this is a sign of Tess' desperation. She is not confident and full of pride because she wants to be, rather, she makes herself believe she has the abilities to drive a horse to potentially save her family from further disaster. Thus, it can also be argued that this quote foreshadows Tess' future. She "takes upon herself" the "load" of her family and sacrifices her own will, self-worth and goals for her family's financial stability. She is presented as a means to an end for her family and is used by her family for their own benefit.

  - Tess is so young but has so many responsibilities. Poverty makes her mature fast - which is why she takes so much responsibility. INDEPENDENT WOMAN -> Anticipates Tess' independence that will follow her in key moments of her life.
• "Tess fell more deeply into reverie than ever."


  - Tess' vulnerability, passivity and weakness.

  - In every significant moment of her life, Tess is falling asleep or is sleeping. As Tess is a time when a person lacks control, Tess automatically becomes vulnerable.

  - As Tess falls asleep in other moments too, it could be argued that Hardy reinforces that she is not responsible for her tragic fate. She is very passive.

  - Night setting heightens the tragedy; all of this could have been prevented if it was during the day time. The fact that this happened at night suggests that Tess' fate only progresses when she is passive. PASSIVITY AS A FATAL FLAW.
• "The pointed shaft of the cart entered the unhappy Prince like a sword."


  - The horse is the family's means of livelihoods, therefore, the death of Prince drives the plot in that Tess now feels obliged to meet their relatives and claim kin.

  - The death of Prince could be seen as the turning point of the novel and the death of Tess' innocence. Prince's death is a 'ruin' to the family, especially with the arrival of the Industrial Revolution.

  - "Pointed shaft" -> phallic imagery: foreshadows rape, penetration and the death of Alec.

  - Ironic name choice - Prince. "Prince" alludes to an upper class, wealthy family, yet, the reality is that the Durbeyfields are so far from that, which is humorous. The humour received from Prince's name could arguably reflect the humour some readers feel at Tess' desire to escape her past which seems unattainable.
• "Tis is all my doing - all mine!"

  "No excuse for me, none!"

  - Fate, missed opportunity.

  - Fatal flaw; Tess blames herself the most for Prince's death which is why she goes to "claim kin". Her guiltiness is what leads her to agree with her parent's proposals. She is her own worst enemy and sacrifices her freedom and aspirations at the hands of guilty and her fear of disappointing her family.

  - It would be plausible to argue that although a lot of the things that happen to Tess are out of her control, making it hard for her to avoid, her passivity and her harshness towards herself allows for the things that happen to her to be intense in the suffering they cause to Tess. If Tess was not so strong-willed and overly mature for her age, as well as being driven to help her family, her Prince's death could have been accepted as a mistake. Yet, her fear of disappointing her family and bringing them into further poverty which arguably is as a result of her maturity, intensifies an accident into being something crucial for the tragedy.

  - Tess' poverty is what makes her desperate and angry at her mistake. A poor person's main goal is to gain financial freedom, therefore, it is inevitable that Tess feels such a way. Poverty and the guilt which arises from poverty is what leads Tess to meet Alec.
• "She regarded herself in the light of a murderess."


  - Foreshadow; Tess really does become a murderess - she kills Alec.

  - It can be argued that Tess' reaction to Prince's death however loses Tess some pity and empathy from the readers. Tess over dramatises the situation in seeing herself as a "murderess", when that is far from the truth.

  - Thus, it can be argued that one of the reasons as to why Tess experiences such a negative future is because of her over-dramatisation and exaggeration of certain situations which manipulate her mentally into believing that she is more guilty than she really is. This induces her passivity and her acceptance of her parents' proposals to "claim kin".

  - This heightens the tragedy even more because it can be argued that a lot of situations Tess faces could have been prevented if she was more realistic.

  - However, some may argue that Tess' reaction to the situation isn't over-dramatised. As a victim of poverty it is natural to feel in such a way when a mistake will likely bring further burden onto the family.
• "Tess was silently wondering what she could do to help them out of it."


  - Acute sense of responsibility. Arguably, the only time Tess is not passive and is active is only when she is concerned about her parents' or her siblings' well-being. In moments that impact her own well-being she remains passive. Thus it could be argued that one of the reasons as to why Tess suffers so much is because she has no desire to prevent the fate that impacts her. She sacrifices herself to prevent the negative fate of her family.
• "You must go to her and claim kin, and ask for some help in our trouble."

  - Joan to Tess about claiming kin.

  - "Must" -> imperative language, sense of desperation. Joan speaks in a tone of seriousness and desperation thus intensifying Tess' response to the situation and manipulating her mental into believing it is her duty to help her family, otherwise she is a failed daughter.

  - Joan is presented as having a sense of authority; she adopts a parental role. However, from what we have seen, the only time she adopts the authority that comes with a parent is when it benefits herself or her family. Other than that, although she is physically present as a parent, she is mentally and emotionally absent. Could it be argued that Joan is presented as selfish or is she assuming some sense of authority as she is fearful of her family's well-being?

  - Is she imposing on her daughter to "claim kin" because the fortune-teller told her and it is a means for her family to gain financial freedom? Has this event solidified her view/feeling that Tess must claim kin? Or is she only sending Tess to claim kin in hopes that she gets married?
• "I'd rather try to get work."

  - Reluctant to claim kin; fate, missed opportunity. Had Tess accepted her instinct, she would have escaped the clutches of the tragic villain, Alec.

  - Once again, this shows Tess' passivity. She is intellectual enough and an independent thinker to know what is the best course of action for her, yet, her passivity and fear of bringing burden on her family is what encourages her to claim kin.

  - She is largely passive and controlled by her parents. She is not an independent character; she is her parents' victim.
• "I suppose I ought to do something."

  - Tess takes responsibility for Prince's death and feels guilty for it, making her assume responsibility and accepting her mother's imperative that she must "claim kin". Tess does not have authority over herself. This power imbalance anticipates Tess' control at the hands of other characters. Her fate and all characters she encounters have some form of control over her. She is manipulated and controlled.

  - We begin to question whether or not Tess would have met Alec if Prince wouldn't have died. It could also be argued however, that even if Prince wouldn't have died, considering Tess is of a working-class background, her parents would have strived to sell off her beauty or find financial stability from the marital prospects available to Tess. She would have likely encountered Alec nevertheless.
• "Every day seemed to throw upon her young shoulders more of the family burdens."


  - Tess as a victim of poverty and familial burden. Hardy makes it clear that Tess is the only hope for the Durbeyfield family which makes her assume a maternal and authoritative role over her family's fate. Tess' family is dependent on her abilities and her beauty.

  - In making aware of the pressures faced by Tess because of the "family burdens", the narrator makes us aware of the dynamics within the Durbeyfield family, presenting Tess as being a sacrificial figure, almost Jesus-like, sacrificing her own well-being and life, for the well-being and fortune of others. Thus, it is made clear that throughout the novel, Tess will act with her parents and her siblings being at the forefront of any decision she takes.

  - This anticipates and foreshadows Tess' self-sacrifice throughout the progression of the novel. For example, we see Tess sacrifice her marriage with her husband for the opportunities she is given by Alec (financial stability).

  - Tess as a passive figure once again; she is left voiceless and forced to be obedient to her family's needs.

  - The burdens faced by her family are also one factor that control her fate.
• "The Chase"

  "The Slopes"

  - Name connotations; foreshadows Tess' downfall and decline in her life, as well as her being a victim of a predator.

  - FATE/MISSED OPPORTUNITY; IN deliberately giving these names to the place where Tess claims kin, Hardy makes us aware of what will emerge. We know it is something negative. Significant to the tragedy -> Tess is hunted by the tragic villain, Alec, and is left a victim of living in sin and becoming ostracised which impacts the rest of her life until her execution.
• "She wished that she had not fallen in so readily with her mother's plans for 'claiming kin'."


  - Missed opportunity/fate; error of judgement. Tess was against "claiming kin", she wanted to seek work. Yet, her duties to her family and her fears of poverty impacted her judgement, leading her to make an erroneous decision which ultimately leads to her downfall.

  - It can be argued that Tess' rationale is often overtaken by her selfless decisions to help her family. Therefore, her irrational nature can also be one of the reasons for her downfall. Had she been more rational and assessed her feelings when questioning whether she should claim kin, she would have been able to escape the clasps of Alec.

  - Nevertheless, we cannot blame Tess for acting in such a way. Working-class readers may relate to Tess' decision and the view of self-sacrifice being what brings some financial stability.
• "Dark triangular door of the tent"

  "A tall young man smoking with a well-groomed black moustache with curled points."


  - First encounter with Alec.

  - "Smoking" -> a sign of affluence and wealth. Smoke can also be overpowering and dangerous, which could be reflective of the impact Alec will have over Tess' life. Will he assert power over her because of his financial position and social position?

  - FATE; In making Tess encounter a man that embodies the typical traits of a Victorian villain, Hardy helps the readers anticipate the dangers that Tess will experience at the hands of this villain.

  - It is evident that this place is not a safe place for Tess. Even for the readers it creates a sense of tension and fear, urging to save ourselves from such a daunting place. We are certain Tess' feelings are an intense version of our feelings.

  - Hardy also uses imagery such as "dark triangular door" to create an image of hell, the devil and danger. It is clear that to Hardy, Alec presents the embodiment of the devil which is a bad omen. In sending Tess to a place that arouses such fears, Hardy makes it clear that Tess will have to sacrifice to fight against poverty or she can never escape it. It is clear that Tess has to sacrifice her own safety for financial stability for her family.
• "She was doomed to be seen and coveted by the wrong man."

  - Fate, missed opportunity; their emerging relationship is forced and one-sided. It is clear that Tess does not fear any natural attraction to him.

  - This makes readers think of Tess' missed opportunity of dancing with Angel which arguably seems to be the right person for her, as seen through her behaviour towards him and missing an opportunity to dance with him.

  - It can be argued that in stating that Alec was the "wrong man", Hardy alludes to Angel being the 'right man'. Is he suggesting that Alec will be a threat to Tess and had she danced with Angel, all that she is experiencing now would have been prevented?

  - As Angel could be argued to be the 'right man', does it foreshadow Tess' inevitable encounter with him? Will their future relationship be spoilt because of this missed opportunity?
• "She thought this was an ill-omen - the first she had noticed that day."


  - Tess believed that her being pricked by a rose was the first ill-omen she had encountered. Thus, it can be argued that Tess' view that this was the only ill-omen so far suggests Tess' innocence.

  - Although there were many "ill-omens" to prove Tess is in danger around Alec, such as the "crimson red lodge" or the "all new, looking like money" mansion, Tess only takes it into account when she faces direct pain from the rose that "pricked her chin". It is clear that Tess is naive and lacks emotional intelligence and the inability to read people correctly.

  - A not so naive and innocent person would have escaped as soon as they encountered those first "ill omens".

  - It can be argued that she discovers those ill omens so late - now, she can barely escape.
• "I don't like my children going away from home."

  - Fate, missed opportunity;

  - Jack as a present father. Although we see him as a failed father figure, it is clear that he has some sort of love towards his daughter. Could it be argued that the only reason as to why John is a victim of drunkenness and a failed parental figure is because of his suffering as a working-class man? Perhaps he results to alcohol to 'alleviate' the suffering because of poverty? Perhaps he also is absent as a father because of the mental burden poverty puts on him? Thus, is it really plausible to argue that John is a figure with parental error?

  - However, this is significant to the tragedy. It is clear to the readers that John is reluctant about sending his daughter to claim kin, yet, Tess still ends up claiming kin. Could this be because John is required to sacrifice his moral compass and his love for his daughter, as well as his daughter's free will for poverty? Poverty as one of the main villains in the book. It is clear that poverty makes Tess sacrifice a lot, and perhaps her family sacrifices a lot too. Can we really blame her parents?

  - Although it seems immoral that John goes against his own rationale and goes against his daughter's choice, it can be argued that this choice is not immoral in the sense that whilst Tess is made to suffer, the suffering is minimal in comparison to the benefits faced by the family.
• "He'll marry her, most likely, and make a lady of her; then she'll be what her forefathers was."

  - Fate/missed opportunity; marriage as a financial transaction in the Victorian Era.

  - This tragedy is even more tragic because of Tess' position as a working-class woman. Had she been just a woman who was a victim of rape, of course, it would have been tragic. But, what makes her fate even more tragic is the fact that it arises as a result of her working-class background which forces her to abandon her own free-will, moral compass and dignity for some form of financial stability which cannot even be considered financial stability.

  - Tess as a victim of poverty and parental error; her mother is keen on sending her to claim kin because it seems like a good marriage prospect. It is clear that Tess becomes a sacrificial character - Jesus-like. She is having her own dignity, personal worth and consent, and her body sold at the price of financial stability for her parents and siblings. We begin to pity her - poverty is the villain which presents Tess as being worthless. Not only does poverty impact people financially but also morally too. It arguably foreshadows Tess' morals being exploited and gradually disappearing as a result of poverty.

  - Parental error: Tess is being sold. However, it is important to note that Tess is being sold for her family's benefit. So, perhaps the outcome outweighs the act?
• "She had hoped to be. teacher at the school, but the fates seemed to decide otherwise."

  - Missed opportunity/fate. Poverty as a force which requires people to sacrifice financial stability and own personal aspirations.

  - This is what heightens the tragedy; Tess' poverty. Had Tess not been poor, she would not have had to sacrifice her own aspirations and her moral compass for her family's financial stability.

  - Tess stuck within the working-class. It is evident she is smart and has aspirations but her position as a working-class woman impacts her freedom to flourish. Poverty as a force that restricts people. Foreshadows poverty restricting Tess' free will.
• "Do what you like with me, mother."

  - Passive. Tess is silenced and is left with no control over her own life. It can be argued that Tess is passive because she allows parental misguidance to guide her own life. She is a victim of her parents' parental error and their power overtakes her own control over herself. However, it can be argued that although Tess is presented as being passive currently, in allowing her mother to do what "[she] likes", Tess is encouraged and pushed to take an active role in helping her family. Therefore, whilst she does sacrifice herself and is controlled, she is given the opportunity to play an active role in providing for her family. She is a complex character.

  - Tess as selfless.
• "Tess' eyes were too full and her voice too chocked to utter the sentiments that were in her."


  - Fate/missed opportunity.

  - Passive; she makes herself voiceless. Some readers may argue that her fatal flaw is her passivity. Her passivity enables her negative fate to carry on successfully. She puts in no active effort to prevent her fate from being reversed and changed into something positive. She is her own tragic victim.

  - However, others may argue that Tess is not passive willingly. She is passive because as a working-class person, she is forced to sacrifice her own free-will, her voice and her aspirations for financial stability. Thus, whilst she is passive, her passivity also is what makes her active in striving financial freedom for her family.
• "I was thinking that perhaps it would have been better if Tess had not gone?"


  - Fate/missed opportunity. Lack of emotional intelligence -> Tess' parents, especially her mother being seen as an irrational being, acting on rash decisions.

  - Significant to the tragedy: Joan regrets sending Tess to 'claim kin' when it is too late. Tess is already off on her journey. Had Joan rationalised her decisions earlier, Tess' fate of re-encountering Alec would have been prevented. Thus, it is plausible to argue that one of the reasons as to why Tess' fate is so negative is because of her parents' erroneous misjudgement.

  - Tess being controlled by an outward force.

  - We begin to feel pity towards Tess and angry towards her parents. Her parents sacrificed Tess only for them to realise it is the wrong decision. However, it can be argued that Joan's response to Tess leaving is a sign of love towards Tess? Perhaps she had to sacrifice her own morality for the benefits that will come out of claiming kin? Perhaps she did not want to send Tess to claim kin, yet, they feared facing deeper poverty. POVERTY AS A TRAGIC EVIL FORCE.
• "How could she face her parents?"

  - Fate; Tess feels entrapped within Trantridge and feels as if she cannot escape the dangers posed by Alec.

  - Although it is not directly evident that this quote is concerned with the theme of fate, it is concerned with the theme of fate in the sense that her fear of disappointing her family and parents prevent her (missed opportunity) from standing her own ground and being active in her own life. Instead, she sacrifices her own well-being and puts herself in danger for her family's livelihood.

  - Tess' selflessness is a driving force for her negative fate. Had she been active throughout the whole novel, not when it just concerned her parents, she would perhaps have escaped such dangers.

  - Significant to the tragedy -> her passivity is what entraps her even more within these situations. It is clear that if it was up to Tess she would escape Alec, but, she lets her parents control her fate.

  - Tess as a sacrificial character; Jesus-like.
• "But she was more pliable under his hands than a mere companionship would have made her."


  - Not directly linked to her fate but her passivity is what determines her fate, as well as her position as a working-class girl.

  - It is clear that Alec has asserted power over Tess; not only does he assert financial power over her, but, he also asserts manipulative power over her, making her "pliable" and more perceptive to his desires and attitudes.

  - We begin to question why Tess is more "pliable" under Alec's hands than a "mere companionship"? If we consider the reason as to why she was sent to "claim kin" - because the kin was someone wealthy who could take care of Tess and her family, it is evident that Tess is pliable and easily manipulated in order to get what her parents want from her. Poverty makes Tess easily manipulated, obedient and submissive to Alec. Poverty is what makes Tess sacrifice her own free will and permits others to assert their will over her.

  - Significant to the tragedy as her fate as a poor working-class girl is what makes Tess believe that self-sacrifice is permissible and acceptable if the outcome outweighs the means, which lead to Tess' obedience towards Alec and ultimately her rape.
• "Marriage was early here" (Chaseborough market)


  - Reference to Chaseborough Market, the place Tess visited with the workers from Trantridge.

  - Bad omen; foreshadows Tess' early loss of virginity on her way back home from Chaseborough Market?

  - Hardy preparing us readers for there to be a significant change in Tess' life? Every journey of Tess' changes her as a woman - she is no longer the same woman after the journey. Thus, considering Chaseborough Market is known for "early marriage" it can be argued that Tess may return early married or put in a position where she has to be "early married".

  - Perhaps it was only "early" for Tess because she was not accustomed to such traditions and norms. Tess as an innocent and naive character.
• "A loud laugh from behind Tess' back"

  "The red coal of a cigar"

  - Alec appears to help Tess after her disagreement with the other girls, forcing her to make the journey to Trantridge independently.

  - It is important to note that once again, Alec is present in Tess' most vulnerable situations. Not only is it night and Tess is tired, but she also fears the "unknown" that she could encounter on this journey. Thus, in being the only character willing to provide Tess with help on her journey back to Trantridge, Tess almost feels obliged to put her trust in him, although we know she does not trust him.

  - Alec is a well-calculated character. He makes himself present when Tess is at her weakest and struggles the most.

  - It is also important to consider the manner in which Alec presents himself to Tess. His reappearance is not a normal one. Rather, he takes on a humorous and uncomfortable position almost making the readers uncomfortable too. The "laugh" and the "red coal of a cigar" presents him as being a predator and a threat to Tess.

  - Thus, we know that his reappearance and Tess' journey with Alec is likely to be a dangerous one for her.

  - The "red coal of a cigar" -> red imagery -> devilish; prefigures the devilish entry of Alec in Tess' life in chapter 50.
• "She was so tired after her long day and her walk that she confided her trouble to him."

  - "Tired" -> powerless, weak, vulnerable; links to Tess falling into a "deep reverie". NOTE: In the most important moments of her life, Tess falls asleep, showing her passivity.

  - Tess' vulnerability and weakness is made known. The only reason as to why she "confided her trouble to him" was because she was tired. Likewise, this could reflect her vulnerability, weakness and passivity towards Alec on a day to day basis. She and her family are vulnerable financially and therefore, her vulnerability persuades her to remain passive and trust Alec in hopes of a positive outcome.

  - Alec reflects the actions of a predator; he waits for Tess' vulnerable moments.

  - Significance of night -> significance to the tragedy -> the darkness of the night allows for immoral actions to go ahead, making them hidden from the world. Had it been day time or had Tess been more energised, she would not have been put in such danger.

  - NOTE: Tess does not accept his offer yet, but she will.
• "A horseman emerged almost silently from the corner of the hedge that screened the road."

  - Alec's persistence presents him as being a predator. His persistence makes it impossible for Tess to escape his pressures and his offer of taking her back to Trantridge. He makes her feel claustrophobic.

  - Structure: Alec's reappearance occurs after Tess' incident with the workers from Trantridge. Thus, in putting Tess in such a dangerous position with the workers, and bringing Alec back into the scene as Tess has the disagreement, Hardy deliberates does it to give Alec's manipulation more power and persuasion over Tess. Had Tess not been in such a situation, it is very likely she would have denied. Yet, her vulnerability was increasingly getting worse - tired, uncomfortable and in a sense of despair after the incident with the workers. Therefore, to alleviate some vulnerability, Tess' next best option was to accept Alec's offer.

  - Foreshadows the sense of claustrophobia Tess feels after Chapter 50 when Alec reappears in her life. His constant reappearances persuade her to give in to Alec.

  - Alec as a predator; preys on her in her most vulnerable moments.
• "At almost any other moment of her life she would have refused such proffered aid and company, as she had refused them several times before; and now, the loneliness would not of itself have forced to do otherwise."

  - Tess as active character perhaps; Note: although she has not accepted Alec's offer, eventually she will.

  - Tess is not entirely passive. She has some morals grounds which she follows and does not break in certain situations, no matter how vulnerable she is.

  - Presented as strong-willed; despite being in a weak and vulnerable position, she does not yet give into Alec's predator skills.

  - Nevertheless, it is important to note that Tess soon does abandon her moral compass and gives into Alec's offer. This presents her as passive as she abandons her morality and safety in times of vulnerability in hopes of being saved from such dangers. Why does Tess become so passive when she was active previously in denying Alec's offer? Could it be because she is in desperate need of help and commits an error of judgement in thinking that she will be saved from the dangers surrounding her right now?

  - Or, does she feel as if she has to obey Alec because he has financial power over her and can provide for her family and therefore, out of fear of not being provided for, she gives in?
• "Out of the frying pan into the fire."

  - Metaphor for Tess going from one danger to the other. This metaphor ironically foreshadows the danger Tess will experience at the hands of Alec for accepting his offer of going home together.

  - The girls which took the journey with Tess seem to be prophetic; either they are aware of Alec's reputation as a womaniser or, they have had incidents with Alec themselves. Yet, this is significant to the tragedy, as Tess' vulnerability because of her being attacked by them makes her less trusting of them, thus, turns a blind eye to their view on Alec and what they think of Alec's offer.

  - Naivete - even if Tess does not trust the women, she could have reasoned and taken into consideration what she has heard. There is a reason as to why they said it, but she does not discern it. MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

  - Allusion to punishment in hell perhaps; foreshadows Tess' condemnation to hell fires after being forced to sin.
• "Tess became invisible as she fell into the reverie upon the leaves where he had left her."


  - Passive; asleep during the most important moments of her life.

  - NOTE: As she is asleep, it is very evident that she is powerless, vulnerable, weak and probably does not think properly. It is clear that once again Alec puts her in a situation where he can manipulate and abuse her for her own benefit. Had Alec had good intentions, either he would not have abused Tess when she was most vulnerable or, he would have stopped her from falling asleep to prevent him from being persuaded to do something to her without her consent.
• "Where was Tess' guardian angel?"

  
  

  "It was to be."

  - Intrusive narrator on the theme of fate and missed opportunity.

  - Hardy shows his anger at Alec and men/God in general.

  - He condemns God's all-loving nature for allowing such a disaster to happen to Tess. Note: Hardy did not necessarily agree with the church - he thought the Victorian church was very flawed and a corrupt place. Perhaps he sees the church as corrupt as a loving place and an all-knowing God would prevent a rape and would not deliberately put such incidents in Tess' fate.

  - Missed opportunity: "where was Tess' guardian angel?" perhaps refers to Angel and how her fate would have played out differently had she ended up with him.

  - Perhaps parental error too. Tess' parents failed to act as "guardian angels" and protect her from dangers.

  - Some religious Victorian readers may protect and defend Alec's actions by talking about predestination and how all that occurs in Tess' life is God given and therefore she could have not escaped.
• "An immeasurable social chasm was to divide our heroine's personality thereafter from that previous self of hers who stepped from her mother's door to try her fortune at Trantridge poultry-farm."


  - Tess as a sacrificial animal; lamb-like; Jesus-like as a result of attempting to take on a Messiah-like role and trying to restore peace and help her family in times of poverty.

  - Poverty as one of the tragic villains. It is what led her to make her way to the Trantridge poultry-farm. Poverty is what also raises questions about morality and makes it known to us readers that Tess' poverty made her so desperate to the extent that self-sacrifice and abandoning morality is acceptable.

  - Foreshadows Tess' progression as a character - from an innocent woman loved by man to a woman ostracised by the Victorian religious norms to a murderess.

  - Turning point for Tess; this is what changes her. Arguably, she becomes more active from here onwards.
• "The basket was heavy and the bundle was large, but she lugged them along."

  - A metaphor for the suffering and burdens Tess faces and foreshadows the difficulty Tess will experience because she lives in sin.

  - Anticipates the downfall of her life and her life deteriorating, as well as getting progressively worse.

  - Significant to the tragedy; the tragic villain has successfully fulfilled his role and has determined Tess' fate completely.

  - We empathise her and pity her.
• "Her views of life had been totally changed for her by the lesson."

  - Foreshadows the pessimism.

  - The rape is being presented as an impactful lesson; either it will teach Tess to stop her passivity or it will be a teaching to Tess that poverty always exploits people as much it can.

  - The lesson could also perhaps be that she should no longer trade herself for her family's financial stability. Perhaps she becomes selfish?
• "She philosophically noted dates as they came past in the revolution of the year."


  - In noting dates, Tess suggests that the events which she has experienced on those dates will impact her significantly to the extent that they will bring about "revolution".

  - "Revolution" a sign of change, mostly positive. In saying so, it could be argued that although the events she experienced were negative and impacted her negatively, they also could have potentially impacted her positively, such as teaching her life lessons and giving her reasons to become more active.

  - Perhaps her rape is a positive lesson as she now no longer fears Alec, and thus, when she encounters him, she will actively cause a threat to him? Foreshadow his murder?

  - Tess as a brave character, she does not regret her past, rather, she wants to make a memory of it perhaps?

  - Revolution -> change; anticipates Tess' gradual change as a character???
• "There should be no more D'Urberville air-castles in the dreams and deeds of her new life. She would be the dairymaid Tess, and nothing more."


  - Tess' attempt to escape the past.

  - Significant to the tragedy and heightens the tragedy because we see Tess attempt to strive for change and no longer allow her fate be impacted by her past, yet, she encounters Alec as the novel progresses which is tragic and reverses all her efforts.

  - Deluded; her sin is immense and Victorian religious judgement is important in a Victorian society and therefore her goal of her past being removed from her seems unrealistic as she will inevitably be condemned in all aspects of life.

  - She would be the "dairymaid Tess, and nothing more" -> Tess' return to the nature.