Tess of the d’Urbervilles · Chapter
XXV explained
Angel Clare, restless after his embrace with Tess, reflects on the profound change in his feelings and the significance of her life.
What happens
Angel Clare, restless after his embrace with Tess, reflects on the profound change in his feelings and the significance of her life. He decides to visit his family at Emminster to sound them out about his new love. At home, he finds himself increasingly alienated from his father and brothers, who represent conventional religious and academic life, while he has been transformed by his experiences at Talbothays Dairy.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Angel's internal struggle over his feelings for Tess and his consideration of marriage is central, as he weighs the seriousness of his affection against social and familial expectations.
Nature vs. Society
Angel contrasts the natural, passionate life at Talbothays with the constrained, conventional life of his family, feeling alienated from their societal and religious norms.
Religion and Hypocrisy
The chapter critiques the narrowness of Angel's father's Evangelicalism and the intellectual limitations of his brothers, contrasting their dogmatism with Angel's broader view of life.
Characters to notice
- Angel Clare
Angel is deeply conflicted after his embrace with Tess, realizing the magnitude of her life and his responsibility. He visits his family, feeling increasingly distant from their conventional worldview.
- Tess Durbeyfield
Though not present in the chapter, Tess is the central subject of Angel's thoughts; he reflects on her profound influence and the seriousness of his feelings for her.
- Old Mr. Clare
Angel's father, an earnest Evangelical clergyman, is described as sincere but extreme in his views, with a temperament antipathetic to Angel's recent experiences.
- Felix Clare
Angel's brother, a curate, who notices Angel's growing social ineptness and urges him to keep in touch with moral ideals.
- Cuthbert Clare
Angel's other brother, a classical scholar and Fellow of his College, who is more liberal-minded but less heartful than Felix.
- Mrs. Clare
Angel's mother, who appears in a cap and silver spectacles, part of the family group welcoming Angel home.
Key passages
“Feeling had indeed smothered judgement that day. Since the sudden embrace, three hours before, the twain had kept apart.”
Emotion had overwhelmed reason; after their impulsive embrace, Angel and Tess had stayed away from each other.
Highlights Angel's emotional turmoil and the immediate aftermath of his romantic advance.
“The aged and lichened brick gables breathed forth 'Stay!' The windows smiled, the door coaxed and beckoned, the creeper blushed confederacy.”
The old dairy building seemed to urge Angel to remain, as if the very walls were alive with Tess's influence.
Illustrates how Tess's presence transforms the mundane dairy into a place of profound significance for Angel.
“He was getting to behave like a farmer; he flung his legs about; the muscles of his face had grown more expressive; his eyes looked as much information as his tongue spoke, and more.”
Angel's manner had become more rustic and open, reflecting his immersion in farm life.
Shows the physical and social transformation Angel undergoes, which his family finds disconcerting.