Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Thomas Hardy’s *Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented* (1891) is a landmark novel of Victorian literature, renowned for its unflinching portrayal of social hypocrisy and the plight of rural England. While Hardy doesn’t formally divide the novel into sections, critics commonly identify seven distinct phases in Tess Durbeyfield’s life, each marking a significant shift in her circumstances and contributing to her tragic fate. These phases aren’t merely chronological markers; they represent stages in Tess’s loss of innocence, her struggle against societal constraints, and her ultimate descent into despair. This answer will explore these seven phases and demonstrate how each one is integral to understanding Tess’s life and the deterministic forces that shape her destiny.
Phase 1: The Starlit Meadow & The Discovery of Her Pedigree (Chapters 1-7)
The novel begins with the idyllic scene of John Durbeyfield discovering his family’s noble ancestry, the d’Urbervilles. This initial phase establishes Tess’s rural background and the false hope that her lineage might improve their fortunes. It’s a period of relative innocence, but already foreshadows the disruption to come. The emphasis on the natural world contrasts sharply with the societal pressures that will later engulf Tess. This phase sets the stage for the tragedy by introducing the idea of a past that haunts the present.
Phase 2: The Temptation at the Flintcomb-Ash Farm (Chapters 8-14)
Sent to claim kinship with the wealthy d’Urberville family, Tess encounters Alec Stokes, who exploits her vulnerability and seduces her. This phase marks the loss of Tess’s innocence and the beginning of her suffering. The seduction isn’t presented as a willing act but as a consequence of Alec’s manipulative power and Tess’s naiveté. This phase is crucial in establishing Tess as a victim of circumstance and societal expectations regarding female sexuality.
Phase 3: Return to Talbothays & The Dairy Life (Chapters 15-23)
Tess finds temporary respite and happiness working at Talbothays Dairy. This phase represents a period of pastoral beauty and genuine connection, particularly with Angel Clare. It’s a time of hope and the possibility of redemption. However, the idyllic setting is constantly threatened by the shadow of her past. The dairy symbolizes purity and naturalness, a stark contrast to the corrupting influences she has already experienced.
Phase 4: The Confession & Angel’s Rejection (Chapters 24-31)
Tess, driven by a desire for honesty and a belief in Angel’s moral integrity, confesses her past to him on their wedding night. Angel’s subsequent rejection, rooted in his Victorian ideals of female purity, is a pivotal moment. This phase highlights the hypocrisy of societal standards and the double standards applied to men and women. Angel’s inability to accept Tess’s past condemns her to further suffering.
Phase 5: Alec’s Return & Tess’s Despair (Chapters 32-41)
Following Angel’s departure to Brazil, Tess is relentlessly pursued by Alec, who eventually forces himself upon her again. This phase marks Tess’s descent into utter despair and a sense of powerlessness. She is trapped between her love for Angel and the inescapable reality of her situation. Alec’s return symbolizes the enduring power of the past and the impossibility of escaping its consequences.
Phase 6: The Murder of Alec & Flight with Angel (Chapters 42-48)
Driven to desperation, Tess murders Alec in a desperate attempt to reclaim her agency and secure a future with Angel. This act, while morally ambiguous, is presented as a consequence of the relentless pressures she has faced. The subsequent flight with Angel offers a brief period of happiness, but it is overshadowed by the knowledge of her crime and the inevitability of capture. This phase represents Tess’s final, desperate attempt to control her own destiny.
Phase 7: Arrest, Imprisonment & Execution (Chapters 49-54)
The final phase culminates in Tess’s arrest at Stonehenge, a site steeped in ancient history and symbolic of pagan beliefs. Her execution, despite Angel’s belated attempts to intervene, underscores the unforgiving nature of Victorian justice and the deterministic forces that have shaped her life. This phase serves as a powerful indictment of societal hypocrisy and the tragic consequences of rigid moral codes. The setting at Stonehenge suggests a return to a pre-Christian, more accepting worldview, highlighting the injustice of her fate.
Conclusion
The seven phases of *Tess of the d'Urbervilles* are not merely a narrative structure but a carefully crafted progression that reveals the systematic dismantling of Tess’s life and spirit. Each phase contributes to the novel’s central themes of fate, social injustice, and the plight of women in Victorian society. Hardy’s masterful use of these phases allows him to present Tess not as a fallen woman, but as a victim of circumstances beyond her control, ultimately challenging the reader to question the moral foundations of the society in which she lived. The novel remains a powerful and enduring testament to the destructive consequences of societal hypocrisy and the enduring power of fate.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.