# Tess of the d’Urbervilles — Character guide

> Key figures in Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

- [Tess Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/tess_durbeyfield.md): A young woman from a poor family who becomes entangled in tragedy after seeking help from wealthy relatives.
- [Angel Clare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/angel_clare.md): A thoughtful, nonconformist clergyman's son who falls in love with Tess and marries her.
- [Alec d'Urberville](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/alec_durberville.md): A wealthy, manipulative young man who seduces Tess and later undergoes a religious conversion.
- [Joan Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/joan_durbeyfield.md): Tess's mother, a superstitious and ambitious woman who encourages Tess to seek the d'Urbervilles.
- [Jack Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/jack_durbeyfield.md): Tess's father, a lazy, boastful man who learns he is descended from the ancient d'Urberville line.
- [Marian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/marian.md): A kind-hearted milkmaid and friend of Tess at Talbothays Dairy.
- [Izz Huett](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/izz_huett.md): A milkmaid at Talbothays who briefly considers running away with Angel Clare.
- [Retty Priddle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/retty_priddle.md): A sensitive milkmaid at Talbothays who harbors unrequited love for Angel Clare.
- [Dairyman Crick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/dairyman_crick.md): The jovial owner of Talbothays Dairy where Tess works as a milkmaid.
- [Mrs. Crick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/mrs_crick.md): The wife of Dairyman Crick, who helps manage the dairy household.
- [Liza-Lu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/liza_lu.md): Tess's younger sister, who becomes close to Angel after Tess's death.
- [Abraham Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/abraham_durbeyfield.md): Tess's younger brother, who accompanies her on the fateful trip to deliver beehives.
- [Mercy Chant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/mercy_chant.md): A pious young woman whom Angel's parents hope he will marry.
- [Car Darch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/car_darch.md): A coarse village girl who fights with Tess at the market after Alec's attention.
- [Jack Dollop](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/jack_dollop.md): A young man who marries a woman after getting her pregnant, later a subject of gossip.
- [Jonathan Kail](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/jonathan_kail.md): An elderly farm worker who helps Tess and her family at various times.
- [William Dewy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/william_dewy.md): An old farmhand and musician at the Durbeyfield's village.
- [Felix Clare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/felix_clare.md): Angel's older brother, a conventional clergyman who disapproves of Angel's choices.
- [Cuthbert Clare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/cuthbert_clare.md): Angel's other brother, also a clergyman, who shares Felix's conventional views.
- [Old Mr. Clare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/old_mr_clare.md): Angel's father, a strict but kind-hearted clergyman with progressive views.
- [Mrs. Clare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/mrs_clare.md): Angel's mother, a gentle woman who worries about her son's future.
- [Farmer Groby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/farmer_groby.md): A harsh farmer who employs Tess during her time at Flintcomb-Ash farm.
- [Mrs. Brooks](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/mrs_brooks.md): The landlady of the lodging house where Tess and Alec stay in Sandbourne.
- [Parson Tringham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/parson_tringham.md): The antiquarian clergyman who informs Jack Durbeyfield of his noble lineage.
- [Prince](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/prince.md): The Durbeyfield family horse, whose death sets Tess's tragic journey in motion.
- [Old Deborah Fyander](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/old_deborah_fyander.md): An elderly woman who lives near the Durbeyfields and is consulted for folk remedies.
- [Knibbs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/knibbs.md): A farm worker at Flintcomb-Ash who interacts with Tess.
- [Rolliver](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/rolliver.md): The innkeeper of the local pub where Jack Durbeyfield often drinks.
- [Mrs. d'Urberville](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/mrs_durberville.md): Alec's blind mother, who lives at The Slopes and is unaware of her son's actions.
- [Old Mr. Simon Stoke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/old_mr_simon_stoke.md): The late merchant who bought the d'Urberville name and founded the family fortune.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters