The-analysis-of-main-characters-in‘tess-of-the-d’urbervilles英語(yǔ)專業(yè)論文

PAGEPAGE25中國(guó)某某某某學(xué)校學(xué)生畢業(yè)設(shè)計(jì)(論文)題目：THEANALYSISOFMAINCHARACTERSIN‘TESSOFTHED’URBERVILLES’姓名：00000000班級(jí)、學(xué)號(hào)：000000000000系(部)：經(jīng)濟(jì)管理系專業(yè)：000000000指導(dǎo)教師：000000開(kāi)題時(shí)間：2009-6-1完成時(shí)間：2009-11-12009年11月1日目錄Contents……………….2摘要 3Abstract 4ChapterOneIntroduction 51.1thebackgroundofthework1.2thetragedyoftheworkChapterTwoWeaknessinthe MainCharacters’Personality——TheDirectCauseoftheTragedy2.1Tess 62.2AngelandAlex 112.3Tess’sparents 19 ChapterFourConclusion…………..233.1ThetragedyofTessBibliography 24摘要托馬斯·哈代是十九世紀(jì)末二十世紀(jì)初英國(guó)著名的現(xiàn)實(shí)主義小說(shuō)家?！兜虏业奶z》是哈代的代表作，也是最能體現(xiàn)他“性格與環(huán)境小說(shuō)”創(chuàng)作精神的重要作品之一，標(biāo)志著他現(xiàn)實(shí)主義小說(shuō)的最高成就。哈代把《苔絲》中的主人公苔絲定義為“一個(gè)純潔的女人”，因此遭到了社會(huì)上眾多評(píng)價(jià)家的猛烈抨擊。評(píng)論家大都不能接受哈代的這個(gè)觀點(diǎn)，因此雖已有些名氣的哈代，在當(dāng)時(shí)還是無(wú)法找到肯出版《苔絲》的商人。本文旨在分析“性格與環(huán)境”小說(shuō)中最具代表意義的《德伯家的苔絲》中的主角苔絲·德伯、安吉爾·克萊爾、亞力克·德伯維爾以及苔絲的父母親的人物形象分析，揭示苔絲悲劇的實(shí)質(zhì)，包括苔絲導(dǎo)致其悲劇的個(gè)人的性格原因、社會(huì)因素及人為因素，試圖梳理出促成苔絲悲劇的種種因素，以及這些因素如何烘托和凸現(xiàn)了小說(shuō)的主題。文章共分為三部分。第一部分緒論，介紹《苔絲》創(chuàng)作的背景及其悲劇性；第二部分分析苔絲性格以及悲劇產(chǎn)生的各種人為原因；第三部分為苔絲悲劇結(jié)論及感想。關(guān)鍵詞：苔絲；亞力克；安吉爾；苔絲的父母親；人物性格分析；命運(yùn)；人性.ABSTRACTThomasHardy,oneofthemostinfluentialEnglishwritersandhehelpedforgealinkbetweenthe19thand20thcenturyliterarytradition.TessoftheD’Urbervilles,oneofhisrepresentativeworks,bestrevealsthe“NovelsofCharacterandEnvironment”spirit.TessisthecrowningachievementofHardy’sliterarycreation.HardyconsidersthemainfemalecharacterofTessas“Apurewoman”,whichmadehimencounterfierceandharshcriticism,formostofthemcouldacceptHardy’sview.ThoughHardywonalotofreputation,hestillcouldnotfindaperiodicaltopublishTessoftheD’Urbervilles.ThisthesisisananalysisonthereasonsthatcausethetragedyofTessinTessoftheD’Urbervilles.Itconsistsofthreepartsintroduction;ananalysisofTess’scharacteristics,therelationshipbetweenhertragedyandthecurrentenvironment,ananalysisofthecharacters,Alec,AngelandTess’sparents,adiscussionofthecauseofTess’stragedy;andfinally,conclusionforthewholepassage.ThewholethesiswillfocusonanalysisofthepeoplewholivedwithTessandtheinescapabletragedyofTess’sfate.KEYWORDS:Tess;Alec;Angel;Tess’sparents;characteristicsanalysis;fate;human-nature.ChapterOneIntroduction1.1Thisthenwasthebeginning.Whyshehavetomeetthewrongman,andonewhowassostronglyattractedtoher?Yettotherightman.Shewasonlyahalf-forgottenimpressionfromanevening’dancinginacountyfield.Inlife,thewrongmantolovehardlyevercomesattherighttimeforloving.Naturedoesnotoftenansweracallforlove,untilthemillions,itwasnotthetwohalvesofaperfectwholewhomet.Amissinghalfwanderedsomewhereelse,arrivingmushlater.Thisdelaywastohavetragicresults.1.2Tessdidn’twanttobeseducedbymanandshehadnopowertodefendherselfsoshelostherinnocenceandthat’sall!AngelalsodidthewrongthinganditwasevenmoreseriousthanTess’scrimebuthewasnotblamedforit.Whyitisalwaysthewomanwhopays?Whytheyarealwayshurt?WhywasTess’spuritylost?Whydoesthewrongmantakethewrongwoman?Whydothebadoftenruinthegood?Whyisbeautydamagedbyugliness?Womenaretooweak!Thousandsofyearsofhistoryhaveshownusthatwomenhavealwaysbeentreatedunfairly!ChapterTwoWeaknessintheMainCharacters’Personality——TheDirectCauseoftheTragedyThischaptermainlyanalyzestheweaknessinthemaincharacters’personalitiestoseewhatkindofroletheyplayrespectivelyinthemakingofTess’stragedy.ThefocusisonTess,Alec，AngelandTess’sparents.WemayfeelregretfulforTess’sfateafterreadingthenovel.MeanwhilewecannothelpthinkingthatTessherselfissomewhatresponsibleforhertragedyduetoherflawsincharacter.AlecandAngelarethetwomostinfluentialmeninTess’slife.AlecisasataniccharacterwhoisalwaystemptingtheinnocentTess.Hedistortswomanasaneroticobjectandapreyinsteadofahumanbeingwhoholdsloveanddesireforself-dignity.Alecwantsonlyherbodyandisindifferenttoherfeelings.WhileAngelisanidealistandhisloveforTessistooimaginativeandetherealtostandanytrialfromthereallife.AfterTess’sconfessionaboutherpast,thedisillusionedAngelabandonsTesstotheabyssofdesperation.TessfallsintothedilemmaoftwoextremetraditionalattitudestowardswomanpresentedinAngelandAlec.ItisrathertheattitudetowardwomaninTessoftheD'Urbervillesthatissplitintotwocharacters,AlecandAngel,onetakinganattitudethatwomanisprimaryasexualobject,theotheranattitudethatthoroughidealization.2.1TessAsacharacter,Tesshassomequalityworthyofourrespectandadmiration,suchasherhonesty,herloyaltytoherhusband,andhersensitivitytonature.Sheshowsmaternallovetoherbrothersandsisters,andsheisfriendlyandgeneroustohersimplerivalsinlove.Motivatedbyherstrongdesireforhappylife,sheisheroicinherlong-timeenduranceofharshconditionsandunduepunishment.Whiletherearealsomanycontradictoryqualitiesinhercharacterthatcontributegreatlytoherpredicament.Themostobviouscharacteristicsarethosebetweenprideandhumility,betweenacceptingofguiltanddefiantlyself-defensive,betweenconventionalbeliefandstrictindependenceofmind,betweenobedienceandrebellion.Heretheessaymainlyprobesintothe“flaws”andgoodpointsinhercharacterthatleadtohertragedy2.1.1HesitationThefatalweaknessofTessisherhesitationinsomemostcrucialmoments,whichisalsoadirectfactorinherfinaldestruction.Atthebeginning,sheisnotwillingtodependonkintherichD'Urbervilles,butoutofhersenseofguiltyofkillingtheirhorseandthepersuasionofherparents,shechangeshermindinthefinalmomentandsubmitstoherparents'will.Althoughherparentsshouldtakeonmostresponsibilityforthisunwisedecision,Tessshouldalsobeblamedpartlyforherlackingofwill.WhenshereachestheD'Urbervilles,shestandshesitatinglyoutside,hardlyknowingwhethertoretreatortopersevereuntilAleccomesforthandcatchessightofher.Again,whenAlecinsistsonforcingstrawberryintohermouth,sheeatsinahalf-pleasedandhalf-reluctantstate.SheobeyslikeoneinadreamwhenAlecgathersrosesandgiveshertoputinherbosom.Otherwise,Alecwouldnotbecomesopresumptuousifsherefusedhistemptationdirectlyandfirmly.ButTessbehavessoweaklyunderAlec’shospitality.WhensheispersuadedtoworkfortheirfalsekinandleaveswithAlec,Alecdeliberatelydrivesthehorseinafullgalloptomakehersubmittohimandpromisestodrivemorecautiouslyinordertodemandakissfromher.TessisshockedandbeginstorealizewhatAlec’srealintentionis.Sheprotestshisbehaviorbyrefusingtogetonthecartagainandatthesametimesheiswonderingwhetheritwouldbewiserforhertoreturnhome.Obviouslythatisthebestchoiceforher.IfTess,atthistime,followedherinstinct,shewouldsaveherselffromthetrapsetbyAlec,herdestroyer.Nevertheless,herresolutionisreplacedbyhersenseofduty.Fullyknowingherweaknessandhergreatconcernforherfamily,Alectellsherthathehasboughtherfatheranewcabandheryoungersistersandbrotherssometoys.Tessfeelsindebtedtohim.HisstrategytogainherprovestobesuccessfulforTessisblindedbyhisardentmannerandherrejectiontowardshimweakness.Furthermore,herfatalindecisionpreventsheronceandagainfromconfessingherpasttoAngel.Astheyfallinlovewitheachother,consciencepreventsherfromlivingalie,whileherinnatehesitationmakesitdifficultforhertodisclosehersecrettoAngel.Morethanoncesheputsoffherexplanation.WhenAngelproposestoher,firstly,shecanfindnobetterreasonforrefusinghimthantheprobabledisapprovalofhispatents,thoughshehintsat“experience”whichsheoughttolethimknow.Thenshemakeshermindagaintotellhimthetruth,butatthelastmomenthercouragefailsher,becauseshefearshisblamefornottellinghimsooner;andherinstinctofself-protectionkeepsherfromtellingthetruth.Soshetellshimthehistoryofherfamily.Thenshedecidestowritesitinaletter.Itturnsoutthattheletterhaslainundertheedgeofthecarpet.Thenshemakesonemoreefforttotellhimofher“faultsandblunders”.ButhercouragesonaturallymeltsawayunderAngel’surgency!—letthemnotspoilthedaywithconfessionoffaults,butleavethemtilltheyaresettledintheirhouse.ThusshelosesthegoldenopportunitytoaskforforgivenessfromAngel.Andlaterherhesitationatthegateofherparents-in-lawblocksherchanceofgettinghelpfromthemandgivestheopportunitytoAlec.2.1.2BlindWorshiptoThereisindeedsomethingalmostfetishisticinTess’sattitudetowardsAngel.Inhermind’seyes,Angelissoknowledgeable,soconsiderate,sopatient,andsodecentthatshefallsinlovewithhimdeeply.Shehasnotknownthatthemencouldbesodisinterested,protective,intheirloveforwomenashe.SheseemstoconsiderAngelClareashergodratherthanasaman.ShedoesnotblameAngelforhermiserableconditioninfarm,andwhenherfriendMariancomplainsthatasagentleman’swifeTessshouldn’tlivelikethis,TessmakesdefenseforAngel,WhenshelearnsthatAngelhaspropositiontoleaveforBrazil,ratherthanblaminghim,shesupposesitisherfaultandassumesthatsheoughttowritehimmoreoften.“HesaidIcouldnotgotohim,buthedidn’tsayIwasnottowriteasoftenasIliked.Iwon’tdallylikethisanylonger!Ihavebeenverywrongandneglectfulinleavingeverythingtobedonebyhim!”EvenwhenAngelreturnsfromBrazil,exhaustedandskinnyashehasbecome,itisobviousthatshedoesnotsenseanyfaultinhisappearance.Toher,hewasperfection.HewasstillherAngel,herApolloeven;hissicklyfacewasbeautifulasthemorningtoheraffectionateregardonthisdaynolessthanwhenshefirstbeheldhim…ButattributingTess’stragedytotallytoher“flaws”incharacterwithouttakinghertotalconditionintoaccountisundoubtedlyunfairandsuperficial.Anyindividualcannevergetfreeofhisorhersituationintheworld.Allwomenarebroughtupfromtheveryearliestyearsinthebeliefthattheiridealofcharacteristheveryoppositetothatofman;notself-will,andgovernmentbyself-control,butsubmission,andyieldingtothecontrolofothers.Allthemoralitiestellthemthatitisthedutyofwomen,andallthecurrentsentimentalitiesthatitistheirnature,toliveforothers;tomakecompleteabnegationofthemselves,andtohavenolifebutintheiraffections.2.2AngelandAlecAtfirstsight,Angelisgentleinmind.Tessfindshertruelovewithhimandiseagertodoanythingforhim.Butbornintothefamilyofaprovincialparson,Angelisdeep-rootedwithconventionalmoresandreligiousdogmas,andtherebyholddouble-standardmoralityandishypocriticaltolove.ComparedwithAngel,Alecisportrayedasanegativecharacterthroughoutthestory.HeisasataniccharacterwhoisalwaystemptinginnocentTess.TessdislikesAlecbecauseofhisselfishanddemandingpersonality.ButAlecbelieveshissocialstatusandhisfinancialsituationentitlehimtocontrolandpossessTess.HegivesgenerousoffertohelpTessonlyforhisself-servingpurpose.SomecriticsholdthatAlecandAngelarethetwohalvesofoneperson,thatis,theytwotogetherformacompleteperson.Alecstandsforthemasculinesexualdesire,whereasAngelstandsforthemasculinereason.ItisAlec’ssexualdesireandAngel’sruthlessreasonthatplungeTessintothehardsituations.2.2.1AngelAngelisamixtureofmodernthoughtsandconventionalideas.Ononehand,heisanadvancedyoungmanwithindependentjudgment.Ontheotherhand,heisgreatlyinfluencedbytheorthodoxeducationhereceivedinthepast.AngelisanidealistandhehasspiritualizedTesstoaconsiderableextentbeforemarriage.WhenhemeetsTessforthefirsttime,AngelClareisattractedbyTess’sbeauty,HeglorifiesTessas“Artemis”and“Demeter”,as“avisionary,essenceofwoman―awholesexcondensedintoonetypicalform”.Heloveshersoul,herheart,andhersubstance.“Tessseemedtoexhibitadignifiedlargenessbothofdispositionandphysique,analmostregnantpower,…”Helovesherdearly,ideallyandfancifullythanwithpassion.HetalksofTesstohisparentsasbeing“fullofpoetry―actualizedpoetry,ifImayusetheexpression.Sheliveswhatpaper-poetsonlywrite.”Infact,AngeldoesnotfallinlovewiththerealpersonofTess,heisonlyinlovewithanimage,anidealpurewomancreatedfromhisimagination.Hisloveforheristooimaginativeandetherealtostandanytrialfromthereallife.Asaresult,afterTess’sconfessionaboutherpast,sheturnsfromthehonest,pure,andlovelygirlofgoodreportintoa“fallen”womanandwantonswitchinhismind.ThedishonoredTessisnolongeradaughterofnature,butaguiltywomanwhoisgoodatdisguise.Hedeniesforgivenesstothiscaseforitisaquestionof“principle”.ThedisillusionedAngelabandonsTesstotheabyssofdesperation.Actually,itishisincompleteunderstandingofthephysicalandspiritualactualityofTess,andhiscommitmenttoafalse,airyidealthatexplainhisblankincomprehensionwhenfacedwithactuality.NowonderhecansaytothedistressedTessontheirweddingnight,“ThewomanIhavebeenlovingisnotyou.”Tessisrightwhenshesays,“Itisinyourownmindwhatyouareangryat,Angel,itisnotinme!”AngelisveryselfishindesertingTessafterTess’sconfession.Hethinksonlyofhisowndilemma;hecan’tbeartolivetogetherwithTesswhenthemanwhoseducedherisstillalive.Heevensays“Ithought―anymanwouldhavethought―thatbygivingupallambitiontowinawifewithsocialstanding,withfortune,withknowledgeoftheworld,IshouldsecurerusticinnocenceassurelyasIshouldsecurepinkcheeks;but―However,Iamnomantoreproachyou,andIwillnot.”HehasmadeuphismindtoprotectTessallthelife,butnowhedesertshermercilessly.ComparedwithAngel,TessishonestandtruetoloveandisworthyofrespectdespiteherpastwithAlec.InawayAngeliscruelerthanAlec.AlecexposeshissexualdesireforTessratherthanconcealhispassionasClaredoesundertheguiseoftremendousemotionforher.AttractedbyClare’simpressiveandnoblequality,Tessisentirelyabsorbedinhislove.Shefeelsverydesperatewhenabandonedbyhedearhusband.Alecafflictsherpainfullybydeprivingherofthechastity,butthatdoesn’tburyherdesireforlife;however,Clareshattersherdreamandtakesawayherhopeforlifebydesertingher.AsaresultofAngel’sbringingherhopefornewlifeandthendestroyingit,Tessistotallyruinedspiritually.AlthoughAngelandTessloveeachother,Angel’sloveisnotaspureasTess’s,hisloveforTessismingledwithalittlesnobbishandfalsecolor,whichforeshadowshisattitudestowardTessandhersufferingslateron.HisintentionofmarryingTessisachoiceofrationalityapartfromlove.Inhisopinion,afarmer’swifeshouldbeawomanwhounderstandsfarminginsteadofbeingadrawing-roomwax-figure.Whenhecomeshometopersuadehisparentsintoapprovingoftheirmarriage,helistssomereasonsforchoosingTessashiswife.Withalltheelementsinview,Tessseemstobetheperfectpersontomarry.Hewisheshertobecomeanefficienthelperinhiscareer.Justonthedaybeforetheirmarriage,TessasksAngelifitmighthurthisdignitybymarryingher,Angelmakeslotsofresponse.FromthosewordswecanseeheisattractedbyTess’sancestryalthoughintellectuallyhedespisesit.WhenTessasksforforgivenessaftertheconfessionandtellshimsuchkindofthingshappensonotherstooandtheirhusbandsdon’tmindmuchoratleastcangetitover,Angelsays,“Differentsocieties,differentmanners,youalmostmakemesayyouareapeasantwoman,whohadneverbeeninitiatedintotheproportionsofsocialthing.”Thesewordsarepainfullyshockingtous!HereheblamesTessinthesamesnobbishtermsthathisbrothersmighthaveused.Theydonotseemtohavecomefromthemanwehaveknownpreviously.HetauntsTessthatpeoplefromdifferentsocietieshavedifferentmanners.HeblamesTessforherhumblestatus.Thesewordsshowhisactualdisdainofthepeasantryandhisstrongclassviewsalthoughheclaimstodespisethedistinctionofrankandwealth.ThoughAngelisadvanced,heisayoungmaninexperiencedinhumanmatters.AngelneedstimetofightwiththoseconventionalideastorealizehowmuchheshouldhavecherishedTess.Andfinallyheovercomesinactualitywhatheonceconsideredhehadovercomebythoughtalone.EvenbeforeheleavesforBrazil,AngelbeginstorealizehowmuchTessisboundupinhisthoughtsofthefutureandhethinksofBrazilasaplacewhere“theconventionswouldnotbesooperativewhichmadelifewithherseemimpracticabletohimhere.”;andwhenheisinBrazil,heundergoesalotofdifficultandbeginstoreevaluatehisideasofmorality.HeviewsTessinnewlightsandthusacceptsher“inspirit”.What’smore,afterhavingadiscussionabouthissorrowfulfactsofhismarriagewithawide-mindedstranger,Angel’shorizoniswidenedthroughhisviews.Followedbytheemotionalimpactoftheman’sdeath,hefinallyrealizeshismistake.HecomestofeelregretfulforwhathehasdonetoTess.Hefeelsitisunfairtohateherforthemistakessheisforcedtodo,andfinallyrealizesthatdespiteofherviolatedpast,Tessstillpossessesmanygoodqualities,whichmakesherfresherthanavirgin.Thusheisreadytoforgiveheranddecidestoreturnhometoreconcilewithher.ButwhenhefindsTess,heisshockedbythefactthatsheisstayingwithAlec.Tessisalsostunnedtolearnthathehascomebackforher.ShebecomesveryangrywithAlecbecausehiscunningtemptationmakesheroncemorebetrayhertrueloveandherhusband.KnowingthatshecanneverescapeAlec,shefightsbitterlywithhimandstabshimtodeath,whichresultinginthecapitalpunishmentonher.SoAngelshouldberebukedforhiscatalyticimpactonTess’stragedyandcausingherdirectdeath.2.2.2AlecWhenAlecfirstappearsinthebook,withhiscigar,blackmoustache,rollingeyesandwordslike“Well,myBeauty,whatcanIdoforyou”,heisdescribedasatypicalvillain.ThoughAlecdoeschangetosomeextent,hisbasicpersonalitieskeepunchangedthroughthebook:heisselfish,inconsiderate,rude,arrogantandbad-tempered.ThemostobviouscharacteristicofAlecishisselfishandinconsiderateofothers.Hetakesanattitudethatwomanisprimaryasexualobject,sowhenhemeetswithTessforthefirsttime,heissoattractedbyherbeautifulappearancethathedecidestopersuadeandpossesshersomeday.Hetakeseverychancetoflirtherwhensheispersuadedtoworkinhishouse.SinceheisrichandTess’sfamilyisratherpoor,hemakesfulluseofhismoney.Hebuysahorseforherfather,buystoysandfoodsforheryoungerbrothersandsisters.Lateron,heoffersahouseforherfamilytolivein.CertainlyhedoesthesetowinTess’sheart.Hishelptowardsherfamilyputsherinapositionofindebtednesstohim.Hedoesn’tcareforTess’sfeelings,andheisdeterminedtogetwhathewants.Finallyhegetsachanceandseducesher,whichmarksthebeginningofTess’stragedy.What’smore,Alecisarrogant,rudeandbad-temperedthroughoutthebook.ThoughheeventuallyfallsinlovewithTesstrulyandissometimeseagertohelpher,it’snotwithoutconditions.Whathedoesallserveshispurpose:letTessbehismistressagain.Alecis“struckmute”whenTesstellshimthetroublehecausesher.HefeelsguiltyandwantstomakereparationforTessbyofferingmarriagetoher.ButhisguiltandhisreparationareuselessbecauseTessdoesnotlovehimandwon’tagreetomarryhim.However,tilltheendofthenovel,AleccomestorealizeTess’sexceptionalpride,dignityandstrongwill.Heisnottellingaliewhilesaying,“No,bymywordandtruth,Ineverdespisedyou;ifIhadIshouldnotloveyounow!WhyIdidnotthinksmallofyouwasonaccountofyourbeinginspiteofallyouwithdrewyourselffrommesoquicklyandresolutelywhenyousawthesituation;youdidnotremainatmypleasure;sothattherewasonepetticoatintheworldforwhomIhadnocontempt,andyouareshe.”AndwhenTessrefuseshisinvitationofmovingtohishousebyaddingthatshehasenoughmoneyinherfather-in-law,hesays,“Ifyouaskforit(money),butyouwon’t,Tess;Iknowyou,you’llneveraskforit—you’llstarvefirst”Howdeepdoeshe“know”herexceptionalprideanddignitynow!Outofthesamereason,AleccomestoappreciateandadmireTess.It'sreasonabletobelievethatAlecreallyfallsinlovewithTessbyhisgradualknowingofhergoodnessnow.Therefore,hedoeshisbesttogethertomarryhim.But,hecommitsamistakeagain.Hedoesn’trealizeTess’sstrongfidelitytoherhusband,andhedoesn’tunderstanditisimpossibleforhimtowinTess’slove.Ifhereallywantstorepayforhiscrime,orwantstohelpTessgetthroughherdilemma,heshouldhaveofferedhishelptoherforfree.Butforhim,aselfishandinconsiderateperson,heonlywantstohaveherbehismistressifhecannotmarryher.Again,hetakesadvantageofherdesperatefinancialconditionandkeepsherashismistress.HislimitedunderstandingofTessisnotenoughtoavoidthetragedyforbothofthem.HehasbeenattemptingseduceTessfromthebeginningtotheend:heseducesherfirst,finallymakesherkeephiswoman.SoheshouldberesponsibleforTess’stragedyandhepaysforitwithhisownlife.2.3Tess’sparentsTess’sparentsareofasocialclassrankingdistinctlyabovetheagriculturallabor,whiletheyseldommakeeffecttoimprovetheirlivingcondition.Instead,theyoftenresorttodrinkstoescapetheburdenoflife.Asparents,JackandJoanareirresponsibleandquiteunqualified.Fromtheverybeginning,Tessisdestinedtoatragiclifebecauseshegrowsupinabigfamilythatissteeredbyfoolishparents.Anancientnoblefamilywithalonganddistinguishedpast,JackDurbeyfield’ssimplevanityishighlyflatteredbyitandimmediatelycallsacarriagehome.Unlikethosediligentlaborerswhoworkhardtoimprovetheirlife,heislazyandsimple-minded.Heissoexcitedabouthisancestrythathegoestothevillageinntocelebrate,boastinghisnobleancestry.Andthedirectresultisthatheissodrunkthathefailstosendthegoodsearlythenextmorning.SothetasktodeliverthegoodsfallsuponTessandheryoungerbrother.ButtheyfallintosleepontheirwayandtheoldhorsePrinceiskilled,whilethehorseistheonlysourceoflifemakingfortheDurbeyfieldanditsdeathplungesthewholefamilyintoaneconomiccrisis.Thefamily’sneedofanewhorse,togetherwiththemother’sambitionofmarryingherdaughtertoanobleman,startsTessonthejourneytoherdestruction.Tess’sparentscouldhavesupportedthemselvesiftheyhadnotbeensoproudaboutbeingdescendantsoftheprestigiousd’Urbervilles,buttheyonlywanttogaineconomicadvantagefromtheiraristocraticconnections.Jack’ssenseofhisowndignitypreventshimfromgettingajobtosupporthisfamily.What’sworse,hecomestobelievethefameofhisnoblefamilyisthemostimportantthingforhim.Inhisopinion,Tess’sillegitimatechildisa“smudgewhichTesshadsetuponthatnobility”,sohedeclares“noparsonshouldcomeinsidehisdoor,pryingintohisaffairs,justthen,when,byhershame,ithadbecomemorenecessarythanevertohidethem.”Thenhelocksthedoortopreventherfromfetchingaparson;thefailureofTess’smarriageonlyworrieshimbecauseofwhatotherswillthinkofthiscollapseofhisfamilypride,he,asafather,doesn’tcareabouthisdaughter'sfeelingsatall.HeevendoubtsaboutTess'smarriageandaskshiswife,“D’yethinkhereallyhavemarriedher?―orisitlikethefirst…?”ThesewordsgivepoorTessagreatstrikeandshethinksevenherfatherdoubtsheralittle,thentheneighborsandacquaintancesmustdoubtmuchmore.Soshefiguresoutthatshecannotliveathomeandisforcedtoleaveagain.Jackismoreconcernedwithfindingouthowhecanlayenoughclaimstohisancientknighthoodsoastoexempthimselffromanyworkatall.Hesays“itiswrongforamanofsuchahighfamilyashistoslaveatcommonlaboringwork.”Jack’sfoolishnessandabsurdityisatitspeakwhenhiswifeisillandheexpresseshishighprojectforliving.Joandoesn’tcareforherdaughter’sfeelingsorhappinessinthefuture.WhatshecaresisthemoneyAlecpossessesandinheropinionperhapseveryrichmanisqualifiedforbeingherson-in-lawsolongasheisrichenough.WhenTesshesitatesaboutwhethersheshouldconfessherpasttoAngel,shewritestohermotherinquestofadvice.JoanmakesitclearthatTessshouldnotsayawordofherbygonetroubletohim.Followinghersuggestion,Tessdecidestokeepsilenceaboutherpastforheradoredone’shappiness.Theconsequenceisthatsheputsoffherconfessiontillitistoolate.WerealizethatTess’shauntingepisodeofbygonedaysisonlyapassingaccidenttohermother.AfterTessmarriesAngel,herparentsdon’tcarewhethertheyoungcoupleishappyoringoodrelations.Instead,theykeepaskingmoneyfromher.ThesuperficialityofJoan’sattitudeisshownveryclearlyinherlackofmoralconcernforTess’swelfare.WesympathizewithTess’saccusingquestionsafterherreturnfromTheChase,“whydidn’tyoutellmetherewasdangerinmen-folk?Whydidn’tyouwarnme?”EvenAlecblamesTess’sparentsfornotwarningtheirdaughterthedangerinlife,hesays,“whatablindyoungthingyouwereastopossibilities!Isayinallearnestnessthatitisashameforparentstobringuptheirgirlsinsuchdangerousignoranceoftheginsandnetsthatthewickedmaysetforthem,whethertheirmotivebeagoodoneortheresultofsimpleindifference.”BothJoanandJackdon’trealizethatth