How was Prince killed in Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Answer

How was Prince killed and what is its significance in “Tess of the D’Urbervilles?” [NU: 2014]

In Thomas Hardy’s (1840-1928) novel “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” (1891), Prince is a horse. The horse is very valuable to the poor Derbyfield family. He helps them earn money. Prince is killed in a road accident early in the novel. Tess blames herself for this tragic accident.

The Journey: One day, Tess’s father, John Durbeyfield, needs to deliver beehives to a market in Casterbridge. But he gets drunk and cannot go. Tess feels it is her duty to help her family. So, she decides to go to the market. She starts the journey with Prince pulling the cart.

The Accident: During the journey, Tess becomes very tired. She falls asleep while driving the cart. Suddenly, a fast mail cart comes from the opposite direction. The mail cart moves too quickly to stop and crashes into Tess’s cart. The sharp shaft of the mail cart pierces Prince’s chest like a sword. Hardy writes:

“The pointed shaft of the cart had entered the breast of the unhappy Prince like a sword.”

Tess sees that Prince is badly injured and bleeding. He soon dies on the road. Tess is heartbroken. She feels guilty and blames herself for Prince’s death. She cries:

“‘Tis all my doing—all mine!’”

Significance: Prince’s death is a significant event in the story. It is the first big tragedy in Tess’s life. She blames herself and wants to help her poor family. This is why she agrees to go to the d’Urberville house for help. So, the death of Prince leads directly to her future troubles.

In short, Prince’s death changes Tess’s whole life. She starts a journey of pain and struggle. This event shows her good heart, her guilt, and the hard fate waiting for her.