Using chapters 34 & 35 show how Hardy presents Angel's rejection of Tess why does he reject her

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Using chapters 34 & 35 show how Hardy presents Angel’s rejection of Tess why does he reject her?

Hardy portrays Angel’s rejection of Tess in a number of different ways. At the start of chapter 34 Angel makes the mistake of choosing an old d’Urberville mansion for their honeymoon. Tess is upset by the choice as it suggests that all will not be well.

‘Welcome to your ancestral mansion,’ is perceived being a very hypocritical remark by Angel as he is renowned in previous chapters for disliking old aristocratic families, yet contrary he likes Tess to be associated with this d’Urberville name. This gives the reader an insight in to his hypocritical side which will take precedence in his rejection of Tess. Hardy also adds to a sense of foreboding by the grim description of the house as a ‘mouldy old inhabitation.’

 The portraits of the two d’Urbiville women are described in a derogatory way ‘bill hook nose, large teeth.’ The presence of these portraits disturbs Tess as her features are traceable to these women. This suggests that although she is visibly a beauty she has inherited the ugliness within and also the statement by Angel made in a previous chapter that rottenness is handed down in aristocratic families maybe true in her case. The ‘smirk of merciless treachery,’ shown on one of the family portraits suggests the knowing of with holding of information. This distresses Tess as it is a sharp reminder for her that she is deceiving Angel by not confessing to him about her past. This makes Tess feel more guilt ridden and wretched therefore inevitable that she will confess despite her mother’s advice. The idea that the paintings can never be removed symbolises the permanency of Alec in her past and her memory of him will always remain.

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 During this chapter she is apprehensive but endeavours to look happy, this is shown when Tess and Angel are washing their hands. Angel asks, ‘Which are my fingers and which are yours?’

 ‘They are all yours’, she responds. She desperately wants to please him however her secret is weighing heavily upon her mind.

 Hardy reminds the reader that Tess is impure by using imagery of a golden staff marking a paint spot upon her skirt. The position of this spot symbolises that she is not a virgin and also the idea of the golden staff being pure light ...

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