Estimated read time: 5 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Tess Durbeyfield | Protagonist |
| Angel Clare | Tess's love interest |
| Alec D'Urberville | Antagonist |
| John Durbeyfield | Tess's father |
| Joan Durbeyfield | Tess's mother |
| Marian, Izz, Retty | Dairymaids, Tess's friends |
Tess Durbeyfield
Role Identification
Tess Durbeyfield is the protagonist of the novel. Her journey from innocence to suffering forms the central narrative.
Character Description
Tess is a young woman marked by her beauty and purity. She is the eldest daughter of the poor Durbeyfield family.
Character Traits
- Innocence: Tess starts as a naive girl with limited understanding of the world.
- Resilience: Despite numerous hardships, Tess shows remarkable strength.
- Passionate: Tess loves deeply and feels emotions intensely.
- Tragic: Her life is marred by misfortune and societal judgment.
Character Background
Tess belongs to a poor family that discovers their noble lineage. This discovery leads to her tragic encounter with Alec D'Urberville.
Character Arc
Tess evolves from innocence to a victim of circumstance. Her struggle against societal norms and personal misfortune shapes her tragic arc. Despite her efforts to reclaim her life, Tess's fate remains tragic due to external forces beyond her control.
Relationships
- Angel Clare: He represents Tess's ideal love and spiritual connection. However, his inability to accept her past creates tension.
- Alec D'Urberville: He is the catalyst of Tess's misfortune, representing lust and manipulation.
- Family: Tess's relationship with her family is complex, marked by love and obligation.
Angel Clare
Role Identification
Angel Clare is Tess's love interest and represents the idealistic and intellectual contrast to Tess's earthy reality.
Character Description
Angel is a young, idealistic man, the son of a clergyman. He aspires to live a simple, pastoral life.
Character Traits
- Idealistic: Angel dreams of a pure and simple life, often ignoring harsh realities.
- Intellectual: He is educated and values knowledge over wealth.
- Conflicted: Angel struggles between his ideals and societal expectations.
- Romantic: His love for Tess is profound but conditional.
Character Background
Angel comes from a religious background but rejects a clerical career. He meets Tess at a dairy farm where both work.
Character Arc
Angel grows from an idealistic youth into a man who confronts his prejudices. Initially, he cannot accept Tess's past, but he eventually realizes his error, seeking reconciliation.
Relationships
- Tess Durbeyfield: Angel's relationship with Tess is central to the narrative, highlighting themes of love, betrayal, and redemption.
- Family: His relationship with his family is distant due to differing values.
Alec D'Urberville
Role Identification
Alec is the antagonist whose actions significantly impact Tess's life.
Character Description
Alec is wealthy, manipulative, and driven by desire. He is the heir of the D'Urberville fortune.
Character Traits
- Manipulative: Alec uses his position to control and exploit Tess.
- Selfish: He prioritizes his desires over others' well-being.
- Predatory: Alec's pursuit of Tess is relentless and destructive.
Character Background
Alec is the son of a wealthy family who adopts the D'Urberville name. His encounter with Tess is driven by lust and power.
Character Arc
Alec remains largely unchanged, representing the unyielding force of societal corruption. His attempts at redemption are superficial and self-serving.
Relationships
- Tess Durbeyfield: Alec's relationship with Tess is abusive and exploitative, symbolizing the destructive power of patriarchal society.
- Family: Alec's family is wealthy but morally ambiguous, influencing his behavior.
Durbeyfield Family
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| John Durbeyfield | Father of Tess, catalyst |
| Joan Durbeyfield | Mother of Tess, pragmatic |
Character Descriptions
- John Durbeyfield: Tess's father, whose discovery of noble ancestry sets the plot in motion. He is lazy and indulgent.
- Joan Durbeyfield: Tess's mother, who is practical and sometimes selfish, pushing Tess towards Alec for financial benefits.
Traits and Background
The Durbeyfields are poor, with aspirations of nobility. Their decisions often put Tess in difficult situations, reflecting societal pressures on women.
Relationships
- Tess Durbeyfield: Their relationship with Tess is marked by dependency, often prioritizing family welfare over Tess's happiness.
Marian, Izz, and Retty
Role Identification
These dairymaids are Tess's friends and colleagues, providing companionship and support.
Character Descriptions
- Marian, Izz, Retty: Simple, hardworking women who share Tess's circumstances. They represent the collective plight of rural women.
Traits
- Loyal: They stand by Tess during her trials.
- Empathetic: Understanding and sharing in Tess's struggles.
Relationships
- Tess Durbeyfield: Their friendship is genuine, offering solace amidst Tess's troubles.
Conclusion
"Tess of the D'Urbervilles" presents a rich tapestry of characters, each contributing to the novel's exploration of themes such as societal injustice, love, and redemption. Tess's tragic journey is shaped by her interactions with these characters, reflecting the harsh realities of her world. Through detailed character arcs and relationships, Thomas Hardy crafts a compelling narrative that examines the complexities of human nature and societal norms.
