Tess of the D'Urbervilles Quotes - Phase the Seventh (Fulfilment)

Question 1

A quote from Tess as she lies on the “altar” of Stonehenge, suggesting that she is “home”. Stonehenge is a pagan symbol of praise to the Sun, and Tess’ lying upon it to symbolically die in her “home” suggests her to be a woman of the natural world, beyond the materialism of Victorian industrial life, abused by this society in which she did not belong. The idea of Stonehenge as a symbol of Sun worship also presents Tess as a sacrifice to the patriarchy, the sun being a symbol of male power within the novel.

Answer 1

“And you used to say at Talbothays that I was a heathen. So now I am home”

“Sleepy are you, dear? I think you are lying on an altar”

Question 2

A quote from the final chapter of the novel, suggesting the restoration of order as Angel walks alongside ‘Liza-Lu, a younger, purer version of Tess, akin to Tess before the tragic events of the novel. Angel received the wife he desired, and thus order is returned

Answer 2

“One of the pair was Angel Clare, the other a tall budding creature - half girl, half woman - a spiritualized image of Tess, slighter than she, but with the same beautiful eyes - Clare’s sister-in-law, ‘Liza-Lu”

Question 3

A quote from the end of the novel, the word ‘justice’ in quotation marks suggesting that a false justice has been done. The idea of the ‘President of the Immortals’ refers to Prometheus, a Greek god tortured for presenting humans with fire, suggest Tess to be more a Greek tragic victim, whose tragedy is brought about by a destructive omnipotent force

Answer 3

“‘Justice’ was done, and the President of the Immortals […] had ended his sport with Tess”