1. Tess of The D’Urbevilles

2. Pre-Raphaelite influences
References to colour
Pale skin, blushing, dark lustrous hair
Very detailed descriptions of the landscape/nature
Alec puts flowers in her bonnet and cleavage – link to Bellingham putting flowers in Ruth’s hair.

3. Beauty Tess is classically beautiful
Less aware than Ruth of her beauty
Hardy emphasises her beauty as being greater than the other women.
Hardy sometimes seems to be in love with Tess.
References to colour, especially red and white – similar to Ruth
Both seducers see Ruth and Tess as sexual objects. Alec’s first words to Tess are “Well my beauty”
Is Alec more of a predator than Bellingham?

4. Redemption The society of the novel does not forgive Tess
Hardy himself says of Tess “she is more sinned against than sinning”
“I have never been able to put on paper all that she is, or was to me.”
Angel’s rejection of Tess at the disclosure of her “sin” is likely to lose sympathy for his character. Is Hardy therefore, implying that WE should forgive Tess? (his own contemporary society)

5. Nature

6. Punishment/self-punishment
Tess does not believe that she deserves to marry Angel “He ought to marry one of you” (The Consequence)
Tess feels “sinned against”
Alec tries to seduce her – he has to force himself on her. Whereas, Ruth willingly “sins” with Bellingham.
However – parental guidance is an issue
Both mothers realise that their sons are victims. Tess resigns herself to be an un-pure single mother but Ruth is able to hide her “sin” from her son. Mainly due to the protection of the Bensons.
Are the writers looking at fallen women differently? Are they saying that women do fall and should be forgiven or that women do not fall but are sinned against?

7. Presentation of Men
Alec comes across as older and more worldly than Bellingham
Gaskell never provides Ruth with another love interest – is this a cautious author’s choice?
Tess DOES have another love interest - doe she “trick” Angel into marrying her? Will the reader sympathise with him? Remember he has committed the same “sin”. Is Hardy criticising double standards? Does Gaskell appear to be less critical of double standards and more concerned with the treatment of “fallen women”?