# XLVI explained — Tess of the d’Urbervilles

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

## What happens

Alec d'Urberville, having abandoned his preaching, confronts Tess again, professing his revived passion and proposing marriage with a license. Tess reveals she is already married to Angel Clare, which shocks Alec. He tears up the license but offers to help her and her husband. Later, Tess writes a letter to Angel but does not send it. Alec visits her again, and they debate religion and belief, with Tess defending Angel's views.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Hypocrisy

Alec's conversion is revealed as a whim, and his religious fervor collapses when confronted by Tess, highlighting the hypocrisy of his faith.

### Love and Marriage

Tess's marriage to Angel is a central point; Alec's proposal and Tess's refusal underscore the complexities of love and marital bonds.

### Female Purity and Double Standards

Tess is blamed by Alec for tempting him, reflecting the double standard that holds women responsible for men's desires.

## Character check-ins

### Tess Durbeyfield

Tess resists Alec's advances, reveals her marriage to Angel, and defends her husband's beliefs.

### Alec d'Urberville

Alec abandons his preaching, proposes marriage to Tess, and struggles with his revived passion after learning she is married.

### Angel Clare

Referenced by Tess as her husband; his beliefs and words influence Tess and affect Alec.

## Key lines

> You temptress, Tess; you dear damned witch of Babylon⁠—I could not resist you as soon as I met you again!

Alec calls Tess a temptress and says he cannot resist her.

_Alec blames Tess for his inability to control his passion._

> I have broken my engagement to preach to those poor drunken boobies at the fair⁠—it is the first time I have played such a practical joke.

Alec admits he abandoned his preaching engagement at the fair.

_Alec's religious commitment is shown to be shallow._

> I have already obtained this precious document. It was my old mother’s dying wish.

Alec shows Tess a marriage license, claiming it was his mother's wish.

_Alec attempts to marry Tess as reparation._

> I cannot tell you. ... Well then⁠ ⁠… I have married him.

Tess reveals she is married to Angel.

_Tess discloses her secret marriage, shocking Alec._

> Your mind is enslaved to his.

Alec accuses Tess of blindly following Angel's beliefs.

_Alec criticizes Tess's intellectual dependence on Angel._

## Links

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