Tess of the d’Urbervilles · Chapter
LVIII explained
Tess and Angel hide in an abandoned mansion for five days, then flee at dawn after being discovered by the caretaker.
What happens
Tess and Angel hide in an abandoned mansion for five days, then flee at dawn after being discovered by the caretaker. They travel north through Melchester and eventually reach Stonehenge, where Tess, exhausted, lies on an altar-like stone. She asks Angel to marry her sister Liza-Lu after her death, and they wait for dawn as the police approach.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Inevitability
Tess's acceptance of her fate is palpable as she lies on the altar at Stonehenge, a site older than her ancestral line, and speaks of her death as imminent.
Suffering and Resilience
Despite her exhaustion and the weight of her past, Tess shows resilience in her final journey and her concern for Liza-Lu's future.
Love and Marriage
Tess's love for Angel is evident in her desire for him to marry Liza-Lu after her death, blending sacrifice and devotion.
Characters to notice
- Tess Durbeyfield
Tess is exhausted and resigned, finding solace at Stonehenge where she lies on an altar and speaks of her impending death.
- Angel Clare
Angel leads their escape, cares for Tess, and listens to her final wishes at Stonehenge.
- Liza-Lu
Tess asks Angel to watch over and marry Liza-Lu after her death, describing her as gentle, sweet, and pure.
- Mrs. Brooks
The caretaker discovers Tess and Angel sleeping in the mansion, but is moved by their innocent appearance and withdraws.
Key passages
“I don’t want to go any further, Angel. Can’t we bide here?”
Tess asks Angel if they can stay at Stonehenge, too tired to continue.
Tess's exhaustion and desire for rest at the ancient site.
“One of my mother’s people was a shepherd hereabouts, now I think of it. And you used to say at Talbothays that I was a heathen. So now I am at home.”
Tess connects her ancestry to the area and recalls Angel calling her a heathen, feeling a strange belonging at Stonehenge.
Tess finds a symbolic home at the pagan temple, linking her past and present.
“Angel, if anything happens to me, will you watch over ’Liza-Lu for my sake?”
Tess asks Angel to care for her sister Liza-Lu after her death.
Tess's final request, showing her concern for her sister's future.