Tess of the D’urbervilles: Thomas Hardy, who believed that we are allin the inescapable hands of fate, thrives on hap throughout Tess of the dUrbervilles. Through this characteristic, Hardy is able to develop the heroine of the novel,Tess Durbeyfield. Hap plays a role in fate, coincidence, bad luck, and accidentsthroughout the novel. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Category:EnglishPaper Title:Tess of the D’urbervillesText:Thomas Hardy, who believed that we are all in the inescapable hands of fate,thrives on hap throughout Tess of the dUrbervilles. Through thischaracteristic, Hardy is able to develop the heroine of the novel, TessDurbeyfield. Hap plays a role in fate, coincidence, bad luck, and accidentsthroughout the novel.
Hardy begins the novel with early distinctions of fate. When Angel Clare, whois briefly introduced in the beginning of the novel, sets his eyes on TessDurbeyfield, he feels a connection with her immediately:As he fell out of the dance, his eyes lighted on Tess Durbeyfield, whoseown large orbs wore, to tell the truth, the faintest aspect of reproach that hehad not chosen her. He, too, was sorry then that, owing to her backwardness, hehad not observed her; and with that in his mind he left the pasture. (12)Hardys description of the visual encounter between Tess and Angelforeshadows that the pair will indeed meet again in their predestined pathway oflife. Hardy also focuses on the attraction presented between Tess and Angel. Theattraction proves to foreshadow the importance of the early relations that theyhave shared:This white shape stood apart by the hedge alone.
From her position he knewit to be the pretty maiden with whom he had not danced She was so modest, soexpressive, she had looked so soft in her thin white gown that he felt he hadacted stupidly. (12)Angels actions of ignoring Tess are portrayed as part of who he is. Hewished that he had inquired the unknown about Tess when he had the chance at thedance. However, he does not venture to find out any information about thispeasant girl. Angels action parallel the future event when Tess wants toconfess her sins to Angel. He chose to ignore her until they are married andsettled, leading them more towards their fated marital downfall.
I am so anxious to talk to you- I want to confess all my faults andblunders!(208)No, no- we cant have faults talked of- you must be deemed perfectto-day at least, my Sweet! (208)Angel realized that Tess was hurt by this oversight at the dance. Thisparallels when Angel would not forgive her for her sins of her past, provingthat fate had the upper hand in their relationship. Trifling as the matter was, he yet instinctively felt that she was hurt byhis oversight. He wished that he had asked her; he wished that he had inquiredher name. However, it could not be helped, and turning, and bending himself to arapid walk, he dismissed the subject from his mind. (12)Upon first seeing Tess at the church dance, Angel ignores his feelings forher in the same manner as he did after Tess confesses her past with Alec dUrberville.
Tess decided not to visit the Clares because she overhead Felix andCuthbert Clares vicious thoughts regarding her. Tess ventured on to find workat Flintcomb-Ash. While leaving she heard a preacher, and visited the barn wherehe was presenting his sermon. She recognized the preacher to be Alec dUrberville. The three oclock sun shone full upon him, and the strange enervatingconviction that her seducer confronted her, which had been gaining ground inTess ever since she had heard his words distinctly, was at last established as afact indeed. (298)Utilizing coincidence, Hardy had Tess and Alec meet again.
Although theirbrief encounter was only a mere coincidence, this reunion played a large role inthe future of Tesss temperance and tenacity. Tess advanced on to Flintcomb-Ash. She found work and with the consent of the Masters wife she began her laborimmediately. Tess met the master of Flintcomb-Ash. She immediately realized thathe was coincidentally the same man whom Angel hit at the Inn and the man shefled from in the forest. Her new master, Farmer Groby, was the same man whoinsulted her through harassing her about her past.
Presently they heard the muffled tread of a horse, and the farmer rode upto the barn-door. When he had dismounted he came close to Tess, and remainedlooking musingly at the side of her face. She had not turned at first, but hisfixed attitude led her to look round, when she perceived that her employer wasthe native of Trantridge from whom she had taken flight on the high-road becauseof his allusion to her history(285-6).Hardys description of the dairys dreary atmosphere coincidentallydepicts the harsh treatment Tess received from Farmer Groby, who enjoyed makingher life more difficult.Tess returned home to help take care of her mother-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
