A pure woman, a cruel world, and one black flag at dawn.
Who drives the story
A sixteen-year-old country girl whose sense of guilt and duty drives every catastrophe. She is seduced or raped by Alec, abandoned by Angel, and finally hanged for murder.
The son of the late Simon Stoke, who seduces or rapes Tess, becomes a preacher, then renounces his new faith to pursue her again. He is stabbed to death in his bed.
A clergyman's youngest son and apprentice gentleman farmer who loves Tess but cannot forgive her past. He returns too late, then flees with her and walks on hand in hand with 'Liza-Lu.
Tess's parents: a haggler intoxicated by his supposed noble descent, and a mother. John's death leaves the family destitute and evicted.
Talbothays milkmaids, all in love with Angel, who lose him to Tess. Marian later endures Flintcomb-Ash's harsh field work alongside Tess.
Also in the story
Tess's younger sister, described by Tess as having 'all the best of me without the bad of me'. She watches the black flag and walks on hand in hand with Angel.
How they are connected
Tess DurbeyfieldAlec d'Urberville
She is seduced or raped by Alec, abandoned by Angel, and finally hanged for murder.
She is seduced or raped by Alec, abandoned by Angel, and finally hanged for murder.
Angel Clare'Liza-Lu Durbeyfield
He returns too late, then flees with her and walks on hand in hand with 'Liza-Lu.
John and Joan DurbeyfieldTess Durbeyfield
Tess's parents: a haggler intoxicated by his supposed noble descent, and a mother.
'Liza-Lu DurbeyfieldTess Durbeyfield
Tess's younger sister, described by Tess as having 'all the best of me without the bad of me'.
Marian, Izz Huett and Retty PriddleTess Durbeyfield
Talbothays milkmaids, all in love with Angel, who lose him to Tess.
Marian, Izz Huett and Retty PriddleAngel Clare
Talbothays milkmaids, all in love with Angel, who lose him to Tess.
Go deeper
The sexual double standard · Guilt that belongs to others · Ancient blood and modern money · Rural poverty and dispossession
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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