Discuss The Characterisation Of Tess in the First 4 Chapters

The reader is first introduced to Tess Durbeyfield in the second chapter of the novel. She is described as a, “..fine and handsome girl” yet Hardy goes on to say that, “(Tess is) .. – not handsomer than some others, possibly..” Hardy has constructed this sentence to make the reader believe Tess is just as ordinary as the next girl. The reader senses that she is inexperienced in life due to the use of the word “innocent” when describing her eyes. She is quick to make excuses for her drunken father, when she feels he is making a fool of himself and embarrassing her in the process with his ravings. The reader can tell Tess is embarrassed when the text says, “..a slow heat seemed to rise at the sense her father was making himself foolish..” although Tess seems embarrassed of her inebriated father, she goes on to say,” ..I won’t walk another inch with ye, if you say any jokes about him!” proving to the reader her obvious love and protectiveness over her father.

Hardy has associated Tess with the growth of nature by placing her in the Cerelia. This also suggests her fertility and purity. This also links to the way Tess seems very

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