Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
- 1. Tess of the d'Urbervilles, a novel by Thomas Hardy published in 1891, is a poignant and tragic tale that explores themes of destiny, social stratification, and the complex nature of morality. The story revolves around Tess Durbeyfield, a young peasant girl whose life is irrevocably altered when she learns of her noble lineage linked to the d'Urberville family. Throughout the narrative, Tess grapples with the harsh realities of rural English life, her struggle for autonomy, and the oppressive societal norms of the Victorian era, particularly regarding sexuality and women’s rights. Hardy paints a vivid portrait of Tess as a sympathetic yet ultimately doomed character, whose beauty and innocence are continually undermined by the rigid moral judgments of society and the actions of those around her. The novel delves into Tess's relationships, notably with Alec d'Urberville, a man who exploits her, and Angel Clare, a man who falls in love with her but cannot reconcile her past with his idealistic views. Hardy’s lyrical prose imbues the text with a sense of inevitability, as Tess's journey becomes a reflection on the interplay of fate and free will, culminating in a heart-wrenching conclusion that challenges the reader's own understanding of justice and compassion.
Who is the protagonist of 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles'?
A) Angel Clare
B) Joan Durbeyfield
C) Alec d'Urberville
D) Tess Durbeyfield
- 2. What is Tess's family's financial situation at the beginning of the novel?
A) They are middle class.
B) They are wealthy landowners.
C) They are aristocrats.
D) They are poor and struggling.
- 3. Who seduces Tess in the novel?
A) Parson Tringham
B) Mr. Durbeyfield
C) Angel Clare
D) Alec d'Urberville
- 4. What does Tess name her first child?
A) James
B) Sorrow
C) Angel
D) Hope
- 5. What profession does Angel Clare aspire to?
A) Lawyer
B) Teacher
C) Farmer
D) Cleric
- 6. What is Tess's final fate in the novel?
A) She escapes to a new life.
B) She lives happily ever after.
C) She is executed for murder.
D) She marries Angel.
- 7. How does Angel react when he learns about Tess's past?
A) He is angry but stays.
B) He seeks revenge.
C) He forgives her immediately.
D) He is horrified and abandons her.
- 8. What ultimately leads to Tess's downfall?
A) Her past with Alec and societal judgment.
B) Her inability to farm.
C) Her disobedience to her parents.
D) Her friendship with Angel.
- 9. What does Tess do to avenge herself against Alec?
A) She leaves him.
B) She kills him.
C) She confesses to the police.
D) She seeks help from Angel.
- 10. Who offers Tess a chance to start over in life?
A) Her mother, Joan.
B) Alec d'Urberville.
C) Angel Clare.
D) Her father, John.
- 11. What is the symbolic meaning of the stone of the d'Urbervilles?
A) Family and tradition.
B) Wealth and prosperity.
C) Her lost heritage and fate.
D) Love and happiness.
- 12. Where does Tess first meet Angel Clare?
A) In the fields
B) At a market
C) At the May Day dance
D) At the d'Urberville mansion
- 13. How does Tess feel about her beauty throughout the novel?
A) She is proud of it.
B) She feels it is a curse.
C) She is indifferent.
D) She embraces it.
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