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.