Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a notable literary work by Thomas Hardy. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts,
Key info,
Summary,
Themes,
Characters,
Literary devices,
Quotations,
Notes, to various questions of Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
Literary devices
Literary devices are essential parts of a literary work. In this section, we will focus on several important symbols of the novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
Symbols
- D’Urberville Name: Symbolizes false aristocracy and social aspirations.
- White: Represents Tess’s innocence and purity.
- Red: Symbolizes passion, sensuality, and violence.
- Death of Prince: Symbolizes the misfortune of Tess’ family.
- Natural Settings: Signify the timeless connection between humanity and nature.
- Talbothays Dairy: Symbolizes happiness, simplicity, and natural beauty.
- Angel Clare‘s Name: Ironically, he contrasts his actions, highlighting the gap between appearance and reality.
- Cuckoo Bird: Symbolizes Alec’s intrusion and predatory nature in Tess’s life.
- Tess’s Red Ribbon: Symbolizes her virginity and innocence, lost after her encounter with Alec.
- Talbothays Dairy: Represents an idyllic, pastoral life and contrasts with the harsh outside world.
- Stonehenge: Signifies the passage of time and the inevitability of fate in Tess’s life.
- The Dairy Cows: Symbolize fertility, abundance, and Tess’s connection to nature.
- Flintcomb-Ash Farm: Represents hardship, toil, and the harsh realities of life for Tess.
- The Dead Pheasants: Symbolize exploitation of nature and the decline of rural life.
- Angel Clare’s Idealized Vision: Highlights unrealistic romantic expectations and leads to tragic consequences.