A list of all useful quotes in the novel 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy, and analysis for each one. Each quote can be used for multiple exam questions, and there are quotes from all characters including Tess Durbeyfield, Alec D'Urberville and Angel Clare, as well as minor characters li...
Quote Themes Analysis
Mr Durbeyfield “And here have I been Social Class Sudden superiority complex; power already going to
knocking about as if I were no more than the Power his head. This drives the plot and affects those
commonest feller in the parish” (p8) Fate/Chance around him like Tess.
“Boy, take up that basket! I want ‘ee to go on
an errand for me.” (p10)
“I’m one of a noble race” (p10)
Marlott described as “secluded” and Nature Marlott is one of the few places to not be affected
“untrodden” (p12) Old vs modern by the rapid modernisation. This could reflect Tess’s
“a country differing from that which he has Appearance character at this time; she is a pure woman so far,
passed through” (p12) therefore she is “untrodden”.
“fertile and sheltered tract of country” (p12) Nature Describing Marlott as “fertile” is positive; could
Old vs modern show how Hardy dislikes the modernisation of the
Appearance time.
“genuine country girls, unaccustomed to Gender roles Indirectly characterises Tess as innocent, which
many eyes” (p14) Morality helps portray her as vulnerable later on.
Social Class
Appearance
“mobile peony mouth and large innocent Sexuality Peony is symbolic of good luck, using a peony to
eyes” (p14) Gender roles help describe her appearance portrays Tess as
Appearance attractive.
Tess is sexualised through fixation on her mouth, yet
infantilised through her innocent eyes.
Tess was “a mere vessel of emotion Appearance Characterises Tess as innocent and possibly easy to
untinctured by experience” manipulate which helps portray her as vulnerable
later on.
“bouncing handsome womanliness” “you Appearance Shows Tess is in puberty, portraying her as younger
could see her 12th year in her cheeks” (p15) Sexuality and more innocent.
Change
“Mrs Durbeyfield still habitually spoke the Change Reflects the changing times throughout generations
dialect; her daughter, who had passed the Old vs modern as education became more accessible.
Sixth Standard used it only when excited by Power
joy, surprise or grief” (p21)
“To sit there for an hour of two and dismiss Morality Mrs Durbeyfield not a devoted parent, this is partly
all thought and care of the children made her Family why Tess gets caught up in issues with Alec and
happy” (p23) Angel; her parents aren’t there to protect her.
“six helpless creatures” (p23) The Durbeyfield children have suffered as a result of
their parents.
“Mrs Durbeyfield turned to where her Gender roles Importance of men, shows gender roles and
husband sat” (p26) Appearance patriarchy.
Mrs Durbeyfield “My project is to send Tess Love Uses their shared name with the rich D’Urbervilles
to claim kin” (p27) Family to profit. Shows their eagerness for affluence, and
“likely would lead to some noble gentleman Social Class perhaps desperation.
marrying her” (p27)
“I tried her fate in the Fortune Teller” (p27) Old vs modern Highlights generational gap of education. Mrs
Change Durbeyfield uses fortune for answers.
Fate/destiny
“The pointed shaft of the cart had entered Violence Symbolises how nature can be harsh and
the breast of the unhappy Prince like a Fate/chance unforgiving. Prince’s death sets off a chain of events
sword, and from the wound his life’s blood Nature in the novel, and causes Tess’s family hardship.
was spouting in a stream, and falling with a
hiss into the road” (p33)
“Tis all my doing – all mine!” Guilt Tess feels guilt over the death of Prince, as her
“What will mother and father live on now?” family will struggle because of this.
(p33)
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