Tess of the d'urbervilles

The main character, Tess, is the daughter of the poor John Durbeyfield who learns from the village parson that his family is related to ancient aristocracy, being the last of the family the ‘D’Urbervilles’. In trying to make use of this connection, Joan (John’s wife) suggests that Tess pursue the son of the local family of Mrs D’Urberville and due to the death of the needy family’s horse while under her control, Tess obliges and ends up being employed as the poultry keeper for her wealthy old relation. However, it is presently acknowledged that Mrs D’Urberville has simply taken the name for convenience.

Whilst working for the family, Tess becomes involved with Alec D’Urberville (the elderly woman’s son) though he later takes advantage of her and in unpleasant circumstances seduces her. After this inexcusable incident, Tess departs from the D’Urberville’s grand home and returns to her underprivileged family. Tess gives birth to Alec’s child, christened Sorrow, but the baby dies early and is denied a baptism because he is illegitimate. After this unhappy chain of events Tess seeks employment outside the village, where her past is not known, and secures a job as a  in a valley some miles off.

The second stage of the novel concerns the family of the Reverend Mr Clare and his son Angel, whom Tess re-encounters at her new place of work (after a brief meeting many years before- prior to Tess’ dreadful experiences). Although Tess’ friends, the other three milkmaids, are forever lusting after him, Angel soon singles out Tess from among them and the two gradually fall in love.  Angel and Tess marry but when she admits the incident with Alec their relationship is torn apart leading to Angel’s departure for South America and Alec’s second attempt to ensnare Tess. This leads to murder, escape and superficial impurity on the part of Tess who is finally brought to "Justice". This is an exceptionally bleak novel that offers little relapse from the persistent cruelty of fate (or as the novel would have it the President of the Immortals) against Tess. At the time the novel was considered pessimistic and immoral, and Henry James though it thoroughly poorly conceived which reminds us of a certain conversation between a pot and a black kettle.

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