Tess of the D'Urbevilles

Tess of the D’Urbervilles, first published in the early 1890s, follows the poignant journey of Tess Durbeyfield, a poor peasant girl in rural England who seeks to claim her family's fortune through her wealthy relatives. As she navigates the complexities of love and societal judgment, Tess faces profound moral dilemmas following her encounters with the seducer Alec d'Urberville and the seemingly compassionate Angel Clare. Thomas Hardy's novel serves as a powerful critique of Victorian hypocrisy, exploring themes of class, morality, and the struggles of women against rigid societal standards.