Chapter Review of Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Phase 1: The Maiden

Parson Tringham tells John that he is a descendant of an upper class well known family one day when he is walking home to his village. Tringham has discovered that john’s last name "Durbeyfield" is another version of "D'Urberville", the surname of a noble Norman family, which is now extinct. John is impressed by this news and it goes to his head.

That same day, Tess joins in with a dance within the village. This is where she first meets Angel Clare who is walking with his two brothers. He stops to join the dance, and partners up with several other girls. After he left to go catch up with his brothers he notices Tess and is disappointed he hadn’t chosen her to dance. Tess is also disappointed.

John gets too drunk to drive to market that night, so Tess goes for his instead. However, she falls asleep at the reins, and the only family horse is run over by a wagon and dies. Tess feels so guilty over the horse's death that she agrees to visit Mrs. d'Urberville and "claim kin." However, Mrs. d'Urberville's husband, Simon Stoke, purchased the title and adopted the new surname, and so is not actually related to the d'Urbervilles.

Tess does not succeed in meeting Mrs. d'Urberville, but her son Alec takes a fancy to Tess and offers her a job as poultry keeper on his estate. Straight away he try coming on to Tess. She dislikes Alec but endures him feeling that she has no choice, as she must earn enough to replace her family's horse. He calls her "coz" (cousin), indicating a protector. Late one night, when she was walking home, Tess gets into an argument with Car Darch. Alec rides up and she accepts his offer to "rescue" her from the situation. But he does not take her home, he takes her to an ancient grove called "The Chase." Alec tells her he’s lost and leaves on foot to get help. Tess stays behind and falls asleep. After Alec returns he rapes her.

Phase 2: Maiden No More

Tess starts to hate Alec. Against his wishes, she leaves and goes home,...