Tess of the D'Urbervilles: Plot Summary (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Tess of D'Ubervilles: Plot Summary

1. Tess Durbeyfield lives in the rural village of Marlott in southwest England.
2. Tess's family is very poor, but her father learns that he is descended from the noble d'Urbervilles.
3. Despite the d'Urbervilles having no wealth or power, the Durbeyfields believe this connection will improve their fortunes.
4. Tess first appears at a May-Day dance, exchanging a meaningful glance with a young man named Angel Clare.
5. Tess accidentally causes the death of the family horse, Prince, and feels guilty.

6. She seeks help from wealthy d'Urbervilles nearby, unaware they aren't related.
7. Alec d'Urberville, the libertine son of old, blind Mrs. d'Urberville, becomes infatuated with Tess.
8. He gives Tess a job tending the fowls, and she reluctantly accepts for her family's sake.
9. Alec repeatedly tries to seduce Tess, but she rebuffs his advances.
10. Alec tricks Tess into accepting a ride home, gets lost, and rapes her while she sleeps.
11. Tess returns to Marlott gives birth to Alec's child, and avoids the townspeople out of shame.

12. Her baby, Sorrow, falls ill and dies shortly after she baptises him herself.
13. Tired of her community's judgement, Tess looks for work elsewhere.
14. Tess becomes a milkmaid at Talbothays dairy farm and enjoys a time of contentment.
15. She befriends three other girls and discovers Angel Clare, the man from the May-Day dance, working there.
16. All four women fall in love with Angel, but he chooses Tess and they begin a courtship.
17. Angel proposes to Tess, but she initially refuses, feeling unworthy due to her past.
18. Angel eventually convinces Tess to marry him, but he is shocked and unforgiving when she reveals her past with Alec.
19. Angel leaves for Brazil, asking Tess not to follow him.

20. Tess's money runs out and she works at a bleak farm with Marian.
21. Tess encounters Alec again, now an evangelical preacher, who becomes enamoured with her once more.
22. Alec offers to help Tess's family after her father's death if she returns to him.
23. Angel, having grown sick in Brazil, returns home to forgive Tess but finds her with Alec.
24. Tess kills Alec and escapes with Angel.
25. They hide in an empty mansion before moving on to Stonehenge.
26. Tess is arrested at Stonehenge and later executed.
27. Angel and Tess's sister, Liza-Lu, hold hands and watch the black flag, indicating Tess's execution.