Do you consider Tess as a pure woman? Comment on the factors responsible for the tragedy of Tess.

Answer

Do you consider Tess as a pure woman? Give reasons for your answer. [NU: 2016, 18, 20, 22] ★★★

The subtitle of Thomas Hardy’s (1840-1928) famous novel “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” (1891) says, “A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented.” This shows that Hardy truly believes Tess is pure. Though the society judges her for her past, Hardy shows that Tess’s heart is innocent. I also believe that Tess was a pure woman because she was honest, kind, full of love, and never did wrong by her own will. She was the victim of rape and society’s harsh judgment.

Tess’s Poverty and Innocence: Tess’s sufferings begin because of her family’s poverty. She does not want to go to the d’Urberville family to seek help, but her parents force her. Moreover, Tess feels guilty because of the death of the family horse, Prince. She blames herself:

“‘Tis all my doing—all mine!’”

She wants to help her family. So, she goes to the d’Urberville family. There, Alec takes advantage of Tess’s innocence and rapes her. Tess becomes a victim of rape. But the society and people blame her unfairly.

Tess’s Great Sense of Duty: Tess stays strong after this incident. But she never becomes truly happy. She gives birth to a baby boy named Sorrow, who soon dies. She buries him with love and care, even though the local priest refused to give the baby a proper burial place. Tess tries to start a new life. She works hard at Talbothats Dairy to earn money. She always tries to do her duty as a daughter, mother, and worker. This shows her great sense of duty.

Tess’s Honest Love and Angel’s Rejection: At Talbothays Dairy, Angel Clare falls in love with Tess. Tess also loves him deeply. When Angel proposes to marry Tess, she refuses. Because she is afraid of her past. Tess thinks she is not worthy of him. She even tries to confess before the wedding by writing a letter. But