Character guide

Tess Durbeyfield

major

Also known as Tess, Durbeyfield, Tessy, Cousin Tess, Simple Tess Durbeyfield, fair Tess, the lonely Tess

A young woman from a poor family who becomes entangled in tragedy after seeking help from wealthy relatives.

Angel Clare

major

Also known as Angel, Mr. Clare, Clare, Mr. Angel Clare

A thoughtful, nonconformist clergyman's son who falls in love with Tess and marries her.

Alec d'Urberville

major

Also known as Alec, Mr. Alec, Alexander, d'Urberville, D'Urberville

A wealthy, manipulative young man who seduces Tess and later undergoes a religious conversion.

Joan Durbeyfield

supporting

Also known as Joan, Widow Joan, Mrs. Durbeyfield

Tess's mother, a superstitious and ambitious woman who encourages Tess to seek the d'Urbervilles.

Jack Durbeyfield

supporting

Also known as John Durbeyfield, John, Sir John, Jacky

Tess's father, a lazy, boastful man who learns he is descended from the ancient d'Urberville line.

Marian

supporting

Also known as dear Marian, the good-natured Marian

A kind-hearted milkmaid and friend of Tess at Talbothays Dairy.

Izz Huett

supporting

Also known as Izz, Huett

A milkmaid at Talbothays who briefly considers running away with Angel Clare.

Retty Priddle

supporting

Also known as Retty, Poor little Retty, wondering Retty

A sensitive milkmaid at Talbothays who harbors unrequited love for Angel Clare.

Dairyman Crick

supporting

Also known as Crick, Mr. Crick, Mr. Dairyman Crick

The jovial owner of Talbothays Dairy where Tess works as a milkmaid.

Mrs. Crick

minor

Also known as Crick

The wife of Dairyman Crick, who helps manage the dairy household.

Liza-Lu

supporting

Also known as Lu, Elizabeth, Liza, ’Liza

Tess's younger sister, who becomes close to Angel after Tess's death.

Abraham Durbeyfield

minor

Also known as little Abraham, Little Abraham

Tess's younger brother, who accompanies her on the fateful trip to deliver beehives.

Mercy Chant

minor

Also known as Miss Mercy Chant, Mercy, Chant, Miss Chant

A pious young woman whom Angel's parents hope he will marry.

Car Darch

minor

Also known as Car, Queen of Spades, dark Car

A coarse village girl who fights with Tess at the market after Alec's attention.

Jack Dollop

minor

Also known as Jack

A young man who marries a woman after getting her pregnant, later a subject of gossip.

Jonathan Kail

minor

Also known as Jonathan, old Jonathan

An elderly farm worker who helps Tess and her family at various times.

William Dewy

minor

Also known as William

An old farmhand and musician at the Durbeyfield's village.

Felix Clare

minor

Also known as Felix

Angel's older brother, a conventional clergyman who disapproves of Angel's choices.

Cuthbert Clare

minor

Also known as Cuthbert, the Reverend Cuthbert

Angel's other brother, also a clergyman, who shares Felix's conventional views.

Old Mr. Clare

supporting

Also known as the Reverent Mr. Clare, Mr. Clare, the present Mr. Clare

Angel's father, a strict but kind-hearted clergyman with progressive views.

Mrs. Clare

minor

Also known as Mrs. Clare, Clare

Angel's mother, a gentle woman who worries about her son's future.

Farmer Groby

minor

Also known as Groby

A harsh farmer who employs Tess during her time at Flintcomb-Ash farm.

Mrs. Brooks

minor

Also known as LVI Mrs. Brooks

The landlady of the lodging house where Tess and Alec stay in Sandbourne.

Parson Tringham

minor

Also known as Pa'son Tringham, Tringham

The antiquarian clergyman who informs Jack Durbeyfield of his noble lineage.

Prince

minor

The Durbeyfield family horse, whose death sets Tess's tragic journey in motion.

Old Deborah Fyander

minor

Also known as Deborah Fyander, Deborah, old Deborah

An elderly woman who lives near the Durbeyfields and is consulted for folk remedies.

Knibbs

minor

Also known as Beck Knibbs

A farm worker at Flintcomb-Ash who interacts with Tess.

Rolliver

minor

The innkeeper of the local pub where Jack Durbeyfield often drinks.

Mrs. d'Urberville

minor

Alec's blind mother, who lives at The Slopes and is unaware of her son's actions.

Old Mr. Simon Stoke

minor

Also known as Stoke d'Urberville, the Stoke-d'Urbervilles

The late merchant who bought the d'Urberville name and founded the family fortune.