Short Summary
Tess Durbeyfield, a poor Dorset girl, is seduced and impregnated by the wealthy Alec d'Urberville. Her infant dies. She falls in love with idealist Angel Clare, confesses her past on their wedding night — and he abandons her. Grinding poverty forces Tess back to Alec. When Angel finally returns, Tess murders Alec to be free. She and Angel have five days together before she is arrested, tried, and hanged. Hardy subtitled the book 'A Pure Woman,' and the outrage that greeted this subtitle IS the novel's argument.
Detailed Summary
Tess Durbeyfield lives in the Vale of Blackmoor in rural Dorset, daughter of feckless John Durbeyfield and hardworking Joan. The family discovers — via the local parson and a genealogist — that they are descended from the ancient Norman family of d'Urberville. John, who is already dissolute, becomes...