Thomas Hardy Unisex Multicolor Tess Of The D'urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented; The

Thomas Hardy

Hardys dramatic and controversial novel Tess of the dUrbervilles is considered by literary scholars to be his lifes masterwork. Set within Hardys fictional county of Wessex in the 1870s, the narrative tells the lifes story of Tess Durbeyfield. Her loss of innocence as she begins associating with Alec, a man devoid of moral conscience. Finding herself pregnant after it is implied Alec rapes her, Tess is forced to quickly mature and confront lifes troubles. The standards by which Tess are held for losing her virginity prior to marriage is Hardys example of a double standard despite her tragedies, the author believed his protagonist to be a truly good person. Over the lengthy novels seven parts, named phases, we witness the different lines of work and people Tess meets. The novel is vivid in describing country life, and the various class distinctions which were definitive of Victorian culture. | Thomas Hardy Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented; The