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Tess of the D'Urbervilles
592 pages, 2003
Tess Durbeyfield's cousins, the wealthy DUrbervilles, offer her a portion of their family fortune if she will claim kinship with them and thus help them gain access to land that has been in their name for generations. Tess is driven by poverty, but when she meets Alec DUrberville, he proves to be her downfall: He seduces her, then abandons her. Angel Clare—a very different man—seems to offer Tess love and salvation, but she must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future.
In Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy shows us how circumstances can shape our lives. Tess, the protagonist, is a victim of her circumstances, from her family's poverty to her unfortunate encounters. It's a reminder that sometimes, life can be unfair and unpredictable.
Hardy explores the struggles of women in a male-dominated society. Tess is constantly judged and mistreated by men, including her husband. This book encourages us to look into the societal norms and question the unfair treatment of women.
The book also emphasizes the importance of personal morality. Tess is a character of high moral standards, but she is often punished for her honesty. It's a call to check our own moral compass and see if we are being fair to others.
Hardy paints a picture of a world where fate can be cruel and unkind. Despite Tess's efforts to improve her life, she is constantly met with tragedy. It's a reminder to be compassionate towards others, as we never know what battles they are fighting.
In Tess of the D'Urbervilles, nature is a constant presence and Hardy uses it to reflect Tess's emotions. It's a call to explore the beauty of nature and find solace in it during tough times.
Quotes 3
Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a masterpiece that strikes a chord with the human heart, a work of pure genius.
Virginia Woolf - Modernist literatureTess of the D'Urbervilles is a novel that delves deep into the human soul, a work of art that is both beautiful and tragic.
D.H. Lawrence - Literary realismHardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a novel that resonates with the human condition, a work of profound depth and emotion.
Marcel Proust - Modernist literature