Tess of the d'Urbervilles: why Hardy called his 'fallen' heroine 'a pure woman'
In short
Thomas Hardy subtitled his 1891 novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles 'A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented' to argue that his heroine, who bears a child outside marriage after Alec d'Urberville's assault or seduction, remained morally innocent. The serial in The Graphic was bowdlerised, and critics condemned the novel as immoral. It remains a key text on the Victorian double standard.
What the full article will cover
- What happens to Tess?
- Why did Hardy call her 'a pure woman'?
- Why was the serial version censored?
- How did Victorian critics react?
- What does the novel say about the double standard?
- How is Tess read today?
Frequently asked questions
- Is Tess seduced or raped in the novel?
- Why does Angel Clare abandon Tess?
- Where is Hardy's Wessex?
- Was Tess of the d'Urbervilles banned?
Sources
- britannica.com — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tess-of-the-dUrbervilles
- gutenberg.org — https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/110
General information, not legal or religious advice.