Tess of the d’Urbervilles · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Angel Clare persists in his pursuit of Tess despite her repeated refusals, which she justifies by claiming she is not good enough for him.
What happens
Angel Clare persists in his pursuit of Tess despite her repeated refusals, which she justifies by claiming she is not good enough for him. Tess struggles internally between her love for Angel and her conscience, which tells her she must not marry him because of her past. She eventually agrees to give him a complete answer on Sunday, though she is drifting toward acquiescence.
Themes in this chapter
Female Purity and Double Standards
Tess's refusal to marry Angel stems from her belief that her past makes her unworthy, highlighting the societal double standard that condemns women for sexual transgressions while excusing men.
Love and Marriage
The chapter explores the tension between romantic love and the institution of marriage, as Tess's love for Angel conflicts with her sense of moral obligation.
Suffering and Resilience
Tess endures profound emotional suffering as she wrestles with her conscience and her love, demonstrating her resilience in the face of inner turmoil.
Characters to notice
- Tess Durbeyfield
Tess is torn between her love for Angel and her conscience, which forbids her from marrying him due to her past. She experiences intense inner conflict and ultimately agrees to give him an answer on Sunday.
- Angel Clare
Angel persists in his courtship of Tess, unable to understand her refusals. He is deeply in love and presses her for a commitment, unaware of the true reason for her hesitation.
- Dairyman Crick
Mr. Crick and his wife suspect a mutual interest between Tess and Angel, but they leave the pair alone during cheese-making.
- Marian
Marian and the other milkmaids guess that something definite is afoot between Tess and Angel, but they do not force remarks upon Tess.
Key passages
“Her refusal, though unexpected, did not permanently daunt Clare. His experience of women was great enough for him to be aware that the negative often meant nothing more than the preface to the affirmative”
Angel was not discouraged by Tess's refusal, believing that a woman's 'no' often precedes a 'yes.'
Angel misinterprets Tess's refusal as coyness, not realizing the depth of her internal conflict.
“Tess had never before known a time in which the thread of her life was so distinctly twisted of two strands, positive pleasure and positive pain.”
Tess experiences a life where joy and sorrow are inextricably intertwined.
This line captures Tess's emotional state as she balances the pleasure of Angel's love with the pain of her secret.
“Reckless, inconsiderate acceptance of him; to close with him at the altar, revealing nothing, and chancing discovery; to snatch ripe pleasure before the iron teeth of pain could have time to shut upon her: that was what love counselled”
Love urges Tess to accept Angel's proposal without revealing her past, risking future pain for present happiness.
Tess's internal debate between love and conscience is vividly portrayed.