Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Themes
All Themes
Injustice and Fate
Nature and Modernity
Social Criticism
Paganism and Christianity
Women
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Tess Durbeyfield
Alec d'Urberville
Angel Clare
John Durbeyfield
Joan Durbeyfield
Izz Huett
Symbols
All Symbols
Prince the Horse
Seal and Spoon
Brazil
The d'Urberville Coach
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices
Allusions
Dialect
Foreshadowing
Genre
Idioms
Imagery
Irony
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Personification
Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Style
Tone
Quizzes
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Chapter 1 Quiz
Chapter 2 Quiz
Chapter 3 Quiz
Chapter 4 Quiz
Chapter 5 Quiz
Chapter 6 Quiz
Chapter 7 Quiz
Chapter 8 Quiz
Chapter 9 Quiz
Chapter 10 Quiz
Chapter 11 Quiz
Chapter 12 Quiz
Chapter 13 Quiz
Chapter 14 Quiz
Chapter 15 Quiz
Chapter 16 Quiz
Chapter 17 Quiz
Chapter 18 Quiz
Chapter 19 Quiz
Chapter 20 Quiz
Chapter 21 Quiz
Chapter 22 Quiz
Chapter 23 Quiz
Chapter 24 Quiz
Chapter 25 Quiz
Chapter 26 Quiz
Chapter 27 Quiz
Chapter 28 Quiz
Chapter 29 Quiz
Chapter 30 Quiz
Chapter 31 Quiz
Chapter 32 Quiz
Chapter 33 Quiz
Chapter 34 Quiz
Chapter 35 Quiz
Chapter 36 Quiz
Chapter 37 Quiz
Chapter 38 Quiz
Chapter 39 Quiz
Chapter 40 Quiz
Chapter 41 Quiz
Chapter 42 Quiz
Chapter 43 Quiz
Chapter 44 Quiz
Chapter 45 Quiz
Chapter 46 Quiz
Chapter 47 Quiz
Chapter 48 Quiz
Chapter 49 Quiz
Chapter 50 Quiz
Chapter 51 Quiz
Chapter 52 Quiz
Chapter 53 Quiz
Chapter 54 Quiz
Chapter 55 Quiz
Chapter 56 Quiz
Chapter 57 Quiz
Chapter 58 Quiz
Chapter 59 Quiz
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Tess of the d'Urbervilles
by
Thomas Hardy
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Introduction
Intro
Plot Summary
Plot
Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Themes
All Themes
Injustice and Fate
Nature and Modernity
Social Criticism
Paganism and Christianity
Women
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Tess Durbeyfield
Alec d'Urberville
Angel Clare
John Durbeyfield
Joan Durbeyfield
Izz Huett
Symbols
All Symbols
Prince the Horse
Seal and Spoon
Brazil
The d'Urberville Coach
Lit Devices
All Literary Devices
Allusions
Dialect
Foreshadowing
Genre
Idioms
Imagery
Irony
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Personification
Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Style
Tone
Quizzes
All Quizzes
Chapter 1 Quiz
Chapter 2 Quiz
Chapter 3 Quiz
Chapter 4 Quiz
Chapter 5 Quiz
Chapter 6 Quiz
Chapter 7 Quiz
Chapter 8 Quiz
Chapter 9 Quiz
Chapter 10 Quiz
Chapter 11 Quiz
Chapter 12 Quiz
Chapter 13 Quiz
Chapter 14 Quiz
Chapter 15 Quiz
Chapter 16 Quiz
Chapter 17 Quiz
Chapter 18 Quiz
Chapter 19 Quiz
Chapter 20 Quiz
Chapter 21 Quiz
Chapter 22 Quiz
Chapter 23 Quiz
Chapter 24 Quiz
Chapter 25 Quiz
Chapter 26 Quiz
Chapter 27 Quiz
Chapter 28 Quiz
Chapter 29 Quiz
Chapter 30 Quiz
Chapter 31 Quiz
Chapter 32 Quiz
Chapter 33 Quiz
Chapter 34 Quiz
Chapter 35 Quiz
Chapter 36 Quiz
Chapter 37 Quiz
Chapter 38 Quiz
Chapter 39 Quiz
Chapter 40 Quiz
Chapter 41 Quiz
Chapter 42 Quiz
Chapter 43 Quiz
Chapter 44 Quiz
Chapter 45 Quiz
Chapter 46 Quiz
Chapter 47 Quiz
Chapter 48 Quiz
Chapter 49 Quiz
Chapter 50 Quiz
Chapter 51 Quiz
Chapter 52 Quiz
Chapter 53 Quiz
Chapter 54 Quiz
Chapter 55 Quiz
Chapter 56 Quiz
Chapter 57 Quiz
Chapter 58 Quiz
Chapter 59 Quiz
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What is the primary reason the Durbeyfields are looked down upon in their village?
1 of 8
They are of a higher class than the peasants
The villagers unjustly hold past scandals against them
They don't directly work their land and have issues such as shiftlessness and drunkenness
They don't directly work their land and have issues such as shiftlessness and drunkenness
How does the villagers' perception of Tess change over time?
2 of 8
They initially shame her but later come to accept and support her
They always regarded her with high esteem and respect
They initially seem to forget her shame but later label her as a “fallen woman,” bringing suffering upon her family
They regard her as a symbol of prosperity and happiness in the village
What is significant about the story of the d'Urberville coach that Alec tells Tess?
3 of 8
It signifies good luck and prosperity for the d'Urbervilles
It is a tale of a past d'Urberville accidentally killing a woman or being killed by her
It is a story about the d'Urberville's successful business ventures
It represents the d'Urberville family's knack for escaping dangerous situations
What internal conflict is highlighted in Tess's character when Alec offers to help her and her family?
4 of 8
Her struggle between accepting help from Alec and maintaining her independence
Her desire to confront Alec about his past actions
Her indecision about whether to move to Kingsbere or stay in her current village
Her regret over accepting Angel's marriage proposal
What realization does Tess come to about her situation and Angel's treatment of her?
5 of 8
She acknowledges that her actions were wrong and accepts Angel's condemnation
She understands that Angel's harsh treatment is justified due to her past mistakes
She feels the injustice of her situation and recognizes that she is condemned for sins not her own
She decides to leave Angel and seek a better life on her own
How does Tess's behavior in writing the sudden, passionate letter to Angel signify a change in her character?
6 of 8
She begins to show remorse for her past actions and seeks Angel's forgiveness
She starts to doubt her decisions and becomes more indecisive
She takes control of her life, refusing to submit to her husband and no longer accepting shame for a sin she didn't commit
She becomes more accepting of her fate and decides to endure her suffering in silence
What does Tess reflect on as the children sing a song about hope for a better heaven?
7 of 8
She wishes she could believe in the song's message, but feels her life's ordeal cannot be undone by an afterlife
She feels reassured and comforted by the song's message of hope and a better afterlife
She feels her life will not get better, but holds out hope for the children's future
She is indifferent to the song and focuses on the practicalities of their last night at home
What societal issue does Tess's dilemma with Alec and Angel highlight?
8 of 8
The importance of a woman's financial independence in society
The societal view that a woman's worth and marital status are tied to her "purity" and sexual experiences
The ease with which society accepts and forgives men's mistakes compared to women's
The societal pressure on women to marry early and settle down
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Cosby, Matt. "Tess of the d'Urbervilles."
LitCharts.
LitCharts LLC, 3 Nov 2013. Web. 19 Feb 2025.
Cosby, Matt. "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 3 Nov 2013. Web. 19 Feb 2025.
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