Tess of the D’Urbervilles Essay Example

Tess's life. Instead of meeting Mrs. D'Urberville, she encounters Alec, a shady and self-serving individual (Watts 2007). Alec's inappropriate remarks and behavior reveal his ill manners and dark character. He manipulates Tess by offering her a job from Mrs. D'Urberville as a way of getting closer to her. Although Tess's mother has reservations about letting her go, she cannot call her back once she leaves. Surprisingly, Mrs. D'Urberville reacts indifferently, contrary to Tess's expectations. Despite rejecting Alec's advances, Tess falls victim to his actions. This proves catastrophic for her as she feels condemned and judged by society (McEathron 2005). She returns home and gives birth to a child, but sadly, the child dies soon after, leaving Tess in a state of depression. The villagers' whispers only intensify her feelings of isolation (Hardy 2008).Tess' intense dislike for Alec and her embarrassment cause immense internal turmoil. She holds her mother responsible for not warning her about such issues. Gradually, she begins to recover and returns to a normal life, but it doesn't last long. The root of Tess' troubles can be traced back to the revelation of her family's lineage. Her parents' assumption of aristocracy and disregard for their responsibilities to provide and protect their children contribute to Tess' misfortunes. Their desire for wealth ultimately puts Tess in dangerous situations. Despite the trauma of her encounter with Alec and the loss of her son, Tess rapidly changes her outlook on life. She decides to learn from real-life experiences rather than through reading about them (Watts 2007). This choice leads her to break free from her family and carve her own path. She aims to support herself and

remain single. Tess takes a job at a dairy farm where she meets Angel. Their previous encounter at a dance reminds her of her naivety at the time. Angel, on the other hand, has also escaped from his family's control and seeks personal fulfillment, just like Tess. Their meeting sparks unexpected emotions in Tess. Despite believing she is incapable of love after what she has been through (Watts 2007), she proves herself wrong when she develops feelings for Angel and they eventually fall in love. However, Angel constantly rejects the idea of marrying her.Tess sees herself as unfit for marriage to Angel due to her past, fearing it will bring him pain and ridicule. Mrs. Durbeyfield advises Tess not to reveal her past to Angel, fearing he will reject her immediately. Despite her conflicting feelings, Tess agrees to marry Angel, struggling with the moral obligation to disclose her past. She tries to communicate everything to Angel through a note, but he remains unaware of her inner turmoil (Hardy 2008). Misfortunes and bad omens continue to plague Tess. The afternoon crowing of a rooster symbolizes future tribulations rather than her immediate dilemma (McEathron 2005). The marriage between Angel and Tess does not bring the expected happiness of newlyweds. Tess confesses her past to Angel, leading to his disappointment. Feeling deceived, he cannot bear to be with her and decides to leave for Brazil in search of a fresh start. Tess now faces the dilemma of her future. Unable to bear staying with her parents, she secretly seeks employment elsewhere without revealing her true situation. Her financial difficulties lead her into encounters with Angel's parents and Alec.

Tess is bewildered by Alec's newfound religious fervor, doubting his sincerity. Angel's absence and silence only worsen the situation.Tess' desperate situation and lack of financial support cause her to accept Alec's assistance (Watts 2007). Angel, on the other hand, realizes his mistake in leaving Tess and returns to reconcile with his wife, only to discover she is not there. He tracks her down to Alec's house, where he finds her living with him. Tess is furious at Alec's ability to manipulate her and control her life, but she ultimately kills him, freeing herself from his hold (Hardy 2008). This murder is the only way for Angel and Tess to have a peaceful life together. However, it also makes Tess a wanted criminal. Despite spending some precious moments with her husband, they both acknowledge that the law will eventually catch up with her. Before her execution, Tess wishes her husband happiness as her ultimate gift to him. Her execution marks the culmination of the hardships she has faced due to her connection with the d'Urbervilles nobility.