Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

The 1890s novel of disappointment and alienation depicts tragic circumstances of a young woman who allows persistent pride and unrealistic self-reliance to bring her into a state of hopelessness. Tess of the D'Urbervilles abandons her belief in a merciful God, runs from her problems, and puts all of her faith, self-worth, and ability to be loved, onto another human being. When she is abandoned by her lover, her sense of self-worth is duly erased.

Dominant issues examined in the novel include the inability to run from one’s self or one’s problems, the danger of allowing another human being to decide one’s own sense of self-worth and esteem, an individual’s overindulgent sense of obsessive presence within the mind of friends and acquaintances, and the desperation of those who have no power, or God to turn to in times of personal distress, weakness, or doubt.

About the Series:

Novel/Drama curriculum units contain complete lesson plans with preliminary and follow-up work, teacher notes with plot summary, background, and rationale, ready-to-use worksheets, and suggested answers for student questions. These study guides encourage the development of thinking, reading, speaking, research, and writing skills as well as critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.