Character of Tess or Character Sketch of Tess

       Tess is the protagonist and the heroine of the novel “Tess of D’Urbervilles”. She is attractive, fascinating and alluring. Her beauty wins the attraction of everyone. Her mobile peony mouth and large innocent eyes adds beauty to the shape and colour. She is the perfect ideal of womanhood. She is simple young girl. She is round character who changes from young simple girl of sixteen years into complex woman in five or six years. Her beauty causes her trouble and he meets two men in her life. Angel Clare says”

“A fresh and virgin daughter of nature”

Tess most prominent aspect is her helping attitude. She is light and tender hearted. She suffers and dies due to her parents, brothers and sisters. 

On the day of May when she returned home, her mother was busy. She offered her help despite that she was tired. 

When her father drank too much at Rolivard Inn and was unable to move his commodities and was not in position to ride on horse, Tess offered him help. On the way they met an accident and the horse named “Prince” died. She was very sensitive girl and she considered it her fault and was thinking how her parents now will earn their income.

She was selfless and dedicated girl. When there was no mean of income, she went to Trantridge and there she lost her physical purity. When her father died and Angle Clare deserted him, she once again surrendered her body to Alec in order to support her family. 

Among the critics of Hardy she is not considered as pure woman and the sub-title “The Pure Woman” caused a storm among the people and they considered it offensive. Hardy does not judge the purity of Tess from Victorian point of view. He believes that purity cannot be judged by physical chastity. It means the purity of innate mind and soul.

To sum up, Tess is fascinating, charming, alluring and pure woman. She suffers and dies because of fate and chance. She tries to face the challenges and finds no way but destruction.