The Role Of Fate In Tess Of The D’urbervilles

Answer

Discuss the role of fate and chance as depicted in the novel “Tess of the D’Urbervilles.” [NU: 2015, 19, 21] ★★★

Thomas Hardy’s (1840-1928) novel “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” (1891) shows how fate and chance control a person’s life. Hardy shows that Tess is a good and innocent girl, but fate and chance events destroy her life. From the death of the horse to meeting Alec, from the lost letter to Angel’s late return—every event seems guided by some cruel power. These unlucky chances and cruel fate make Tess a tragic character.

Death of Prince: Tess’s tragic journey begins with a chance event—the death of her family’s horse, Prince. Prince was a valuable horse for the poor family. Tess feels guilty for Prince’s death. Because she was asleep when the road accident killed the horse. She says sadly:

“‘Tis all my doing—all mine!”

So, Tess feels it is her duty to help her poor family. When her family tells her to go to the nearby d’Urberville family to seek help, she feels compelled. She meets Alec there. If the horse had not died, Tess would never have gone there. Alec would never have ruined her life.

The d’Urbervilles Family Name: Tess’s misfortune began even before the death of the horse. It all started when Tess’s father, John Derbyfield, learned that they were part of the ancient noble family d’Urbervilles. This is why Tess’s parents send her to the nearby d’Urberville family to seek help. There, Tess meets Alec d’Urberville. Alec is a lustful man. He takes advantage of her innocence and rapes her. This ruins Tess’s whole life.

The Letter: Later in the story, Tess works at Talbothays Dairy. There, Angel Clare falls in love with Tess. Tess also loves him deeply. When Angel proposes to marry Tess, she refuses. Tess thinks she is not worthy of him because of her past. So, she tries to confess before the wedding by writing a letter. She writes a letter and pushes it under