Tag Info

It was mainly due to the Victorian interpretations of several events and actions in the novel and subsequent comments from contemporary critics. Firstly, Tess committed murder when she killed Alec. ...

In addition to the excellent reasoning of the existing answer, I would like to add one detail. Although not much more can be gleaned from the edition that is in circulation today, the 1891 first ...

The twist of Liza-Lu and Angel together at the end of Tess of the d'Urbervilles is odd, like you say, and does seem somewhat unnecessary. However, there are some points which can explain why Hardy ...

At least by implication, yes. Twice, in conversation with Tess, Alec refers to himself as a "sham" d'Urberville: “If you are a genuine d’Urberville I ought not to tell you either, I suppose....

This epigraph is best dealt with by being broken down into two parts, but there are vague links between Hardy and Shakespeare's works tied together in this particular quote. (Also, it relates to the ...

It is suggested that, at least, they were not actually married, although longer-term intentions are harder to judge. See the opening paragraph of chapter 56: Mrs Brooks, the lady who was the ...

Far from the Madding Crowd was published in 1874, and at that time publications in England were censored according to the Obscene Publications Act 1857, which made it impossible for authors to refer ...

The Book Trigger Warnings entry for the book does not mention rape. Animal death Death Faked death Murder Property destruction via storm Sexism Shooting Given that rape is mentioned in the entry for ...

(1) Angel's father would certainly not have remarried until his first wife was dead. Divorce did exist, but it was frowned on in 'respectable' society. (2) Tess isn't married to Alec d'Urberville. ...

I would add that with Alec dead Tess’ family is again homeless and destitute, however, if Liza-Lu marries Angel this problem is solved. Since Tess’ motives are always a mix of desires, she may have ...

What would the novel's ending have been like if there was no Liza-Lu? I think she is unnecessarily thrust upon the readers' sympathy. Without Liza-Lu marrying Angel the story would be more elevating ...