Thomas Hardy

Youth

Tess Durbeyfield is sent to seek assistance from the wealthy d’Urberville family after her impoverished parents learn of their supposed aristocratic ancestry. There she encounters Alec d’Urberville, whose exploitation of Tess permanently alters her life. Later, while working at Talbothays Dairy, Tess falls in love with Angel Clare, but their marriage is shattered when Angel cannot forgive her past despite expecting forgiveness for his own. Tess’s efforts to rebuild her life are repeatedly undermined by poverty, social judgement and male power. Through her tragic story, Thomas Hardy challenges Victorian sexual morality and exposes the injustice of a society that punishes Tess while excusing those who harm and abandon her.