What do you know about Angel’s sleepwalking scene

Answer

 Describe the sleepwalking scene. [NU: 2015]

In “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” (1891) by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), the sleepwalking scene happens in Phase the Fifth, Chapter 37. In this scene, Angel Clare walks in his sleep and talks to Tess. This scene shows Angel’s deep mental pain and his hidden love for Tess.

Angel Walks in His Sleep: One night after midnight, Tess wakes up. She sees her husband, Angel, entering her room. He is wearing only a shirt and trousers. His eyes look strange and fixed. Tess realizes that he is sleepwalking. Tess knows that Angel sometimes walks in his sleep when he is very sad. He softly says,

“Dead! dead! dead!”

This reveals Angel’s pain. He loves Tess deeply. But after knowing Tess’s tragic past, he cannot accept her as his wife. He thinks Tess is dead to him, and so is their marriage.

Talking to Tess Lovingly: Angel comes close to Tess, bends over her, and says sadly,

“My poor, poor Tess—my dearest, darling Tess! So sweet, so good, so true!”

In his sleep, he rolls Tess in the bed sheet and lifts her gently. He carries  her as if she were a dead body. Tess does not resist because she feels his love for her. She knows he is dreaming.

Carrying Her to the River and Abbey: Angel carries Tess out of the house. He goes across dangerous places, even walking on a narrow plank over the river. Angel finally lays her in an old stone coffin at a ruined Abbey. He kisses her and lies down beside her.

Tess Leads Him Back: Tess worries he might die from cold. So, she gently leads him back. She gets him safely to bed and warms him by the fire.

In fine, the sleepwalking scene shows Angel’s love and guilt. Though he rejects her in his waking, he expresses love in his subconscious mind. This scene is emotional and symbolic. It