# Chapter XVI explained — Tess of the d’Urbervilles

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

## What happens

Tess Durbeyfield leaves home for the second time, traveling to the Valley of the Great Dairies to work at a dairy. She feels a renewed sense of hope and freedom, contrasting her past experiences. The chapter describes her journey, the landscape, and her emotional uplift as she arrives at the dairy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Resilience

Tess's emotional recovery and renewed hope after her past traumas illustrate her resilience and ability to find joy again.

### Nature vs. Society

The chapter contrasts the oppressive societal judgments Tess faced with the liberating and healing power of nature in the new valley.

## Character check-ins

### Tess Durbeyfield

Leaves home for the second time, traveling to the Valley of the Great Dairies. She feels a renewed sense of hope and freedom, contrasting her past experiences.

## Key lines

> Her hopes mingled with the sunshine in an ideal photosphere which surrounded her as she bounded along against the soft south wind.

Tess's optimism blended with the sunlight, creating a perfect, glowing atmosphere around her as she walked joyfully into the wind.

_Illustrates Tess's renewed hope and emotional uplift as she enters the new valley._

> The irresistible, universal, automatic tendency to find sweet pleasure somewhere, which pervades all life, from the meanest to the highest, had at length mastered Tess.

The natural, unavoidable drive to seek happiness, present in all living things, finally overcame Tess's sorrow.

_Highlights Tess's resilience and the universal human tendency to seek joy after hardship._

## Links

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