Tess of the D'Urbervilles Characters Analysis

 

Tess Durbeyfield - The protagonist of the novel is a young and beautiful Cottage girl from the village of Marlott. Tess is often depicted to be a victim of her circumstances rather than being responsible for the tragedies that occur to her. Tess is raped by a rich man, Alec D’Urberville, and bears his child that passes away only a few days later. She tries to leave the past behind her when she meets the polite and compassionate Angel Care, but he abandons her after learning the truth about her past. Tess faces hurdles one after the other and attempts to remain ethically upright despite all the tragedies that befall her. Eventually, Tess kills Alec and willingly accepts the punishment for her crime.

Alec D’Urberville - The antagonist of the novel is the son of a wealthy mercantile family that acquired the aristocratic name of D’Urberville through wealth alone. He meets Tess when she visits the D’Urberville estate to meet and seek the aid of her relatives. Alec arranges employment for her for the sole reason of sexually exploiting her. He becomes angry when she continues to refuse his sexual advances, and so he rapes her. He offers to keep her as his mistress but Tess refuses him. Alec then experiences religious salvation through the efforts of Angel’s father, but this is short-lived as he meets Tess once again, and beings to pursue her anew. Tess is in dire straits after being abandoned by Angel, and he takes advantage of her poverty to make her his mistress. Alec is eventually murdered by Tess.

Angel Care - The second man to enter Tess’s life is Angel Care, the youngest son of wealthy and reputable clergymen. Angel is ambivalent about religion and decides to become a farmer. He meets Tess when he is working at a dairy farm to learn the intricacies of the trade, and soon falls in love with her. He learns of her history with Alec and becomes extremely insecure. Angel leaves for Brazil, where he faces ill health and financial losses. He eventually forgives Tess and returns to her, but he finds that she has returned to Alec as his mistress. Tess kills Alec after she meets with Angel, and the two of them than spend a few days running from the law. Once Tess surrenders, Angel marries Liza-Lu, just as Tess had requested him to do.

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