# LVIII explained — Tess of the d’Urbervilles

> Chapter companion for Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/lviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters