Did you know that Thomas Hardy...?
* was born 5 months after his parents' wedding and the doctor initially believed he was dead
* had no children
* enjoyed cycling and took regular exercise
* was a non-smoker
* was highly sensitive, reacting badly to criticism of his novels
* had a very spoiled dog that was walking on the table at meals
* married his 35-year-old secretary at the age of 73, 2 years after the death of his 1st wife
* died aged 87
(Source: Private Lives)
STUDY QUESTIONS - TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel.
2. Comment on the main characters. Compare Angel and Alec.
3. Do you perceive Tess as an active or as a passive heroine? Why?
4. Do you recognize any signs of foreshadowing in the text? Are there any strange coincidences in the story?
5. What is the prevailing mood of the novel? Why?
6. What force does rule Tess’ s life?
7. Focus on the symbolical meaning of the names of certain characters.
8. What role does religion play in Tess’s life?
9. What role does community play in Tess’s life?
10. Comment on the setting of the novel. Does the landscape change throughout the novel? Does it have any impact on the characters or vice versa?
11. Comment on the narration.
12. What is the subtitle of the novel? Interpret.
13. Do you find any symbols in the text? If yes, list and explain.
14. Is the novel’s structure symbolical to certain extent?
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