Tess of the d’Urbervilles
After finishing this novel, there are a few words that come to mind. The most fitting would be incredible. Hardy brings to light the unfair struggles that women in this era faced every single day, he uses religion as a major theme throughout the entire novel. Religion, which is something that is supposed to bring someone comfort and belonging, only brings Tess embarrassment and a feeling of humiliation for something she had no control over. From the moment her innocence was forcefully taken from her, her entire life falls apart and it destroys every opportunity that comes her way throughout her life. Hardy also shows how women are unfairly judged and help to a different standard than men. While Tess was easily able to forgive Angel for having relations with a woman prior to Tess, he is at first disgusted by Tess when she reveals the painful truth of her past. Tess was never able to understand a healthy relationship with a man which causes her to trust the man who played a huge role in the demise of her life. Ultimately Tess does the unthinkable and kills Alec d’Urberville because she thinks this will solve her problems and give her the chance to finally live the life she was never able to obtain. Even in death, d’Urberville was able to stop Tess in her tracks and finally put an end to the game he was playing with her life.