# XL explained — Tess of the d’Urbervilles

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

## What happens

Angel Clare, preparing to leave for Brazil, settles his affairs and encounters Izz Huett, who confesses her love for him. He briefly considers taking her with him but ultimately rejects the idea. He also meets Mercy Chant, deposits money for Tess, and visits the Wellbridge farmhouse where he and Tess spent their first days of marriage, experiencing regret and sorrow.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Angel's conflicted feelings about his marriage to Tess and his consideration of Izz Huett highlight the tension between love, duty, and social convention.

### Religion and Hypocrisy

Angel's interaction with Mercy Chant reveals his disillusionment with religious piety and his own moral struggles.

### Suffering and Resilience

Angel's grief and regret at the Wellbridge farmhouse, along with Izz's quiet endurance, underscore the theme of emotional suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Angel Clare

Angel is preparing to leave for Brazil, settling his affairs and reflecting on his marriage to Tess.

### Izz Huett

Izz meets Angel, confesses her love for him, and briefly agrees to go with him to Brazil before being left behind.

### Mercy Chant

Mercy encounters Angel by the church and discusses his departure, showing her pious and optimistic nature.

### Tess Durbeyfield

Tess is mentioned as Angel's estranged wife; he deposits money for her and mourns their lost happiness.

## Key lines

> O Tess! If you had only told me sooner, I would have forgiven you!

Angel laments that if Tess had confessed her past earlier, he would have been able to forgive her.

_Angel's regret over his harsh reaction to Tess's confession._

> I am going to Brazil alone, Izz. I have separated from my wife for personal, not voyaging, reasons. I may never live with her again. I may not be able to love you; but—will you go with me instead of her?

Angel asks Izz to accompany him to Brazil as a replacement for Tess, acknowledging his inability to love her.

_Angel's desperate and morally questionable proposal to Izz._

> It means that I shall live with you for the time you are over there—that's good enough for me.

Izz agrees to go with Angel, accepting a temporary arrangement without marriage.

_Izz's willingness to sacrifice her reputation for Angel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xl
- 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