Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

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Description:

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 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.

Activities:

In this unit, students use creative and interpretive thinking skills; make dramatic presentations; analyze characters, plot development, and themes; study maps and vocabulary; examine literary terminology including conflict, point of view, antagonist, and protagonist, develop vocabulary; explore setting using maps; analyze Thomas Hardy’s poetry; and conduct a class trial.

The unit features a final test with answer key, optional activities, and a vocabulary list.

Ethical Values:

Courage, Faith, Respect, Self-discipline