Certainly Tess is the best example of raft's falsify within the novel, as so whiley of the events in her life-time are laboured upon her. She is raised in an environment that fosters a belief in a kind of predetermination, which is demonstrated by the fact that her mother often consults the Compleat Fortune-Teller, an old book of astrological guidance. Tess, however, has been educated, and thus does not subscribe to the same beliefs that her mother does. She believes that man has free get out, while her mother, "awith her fast-perishing lumber of superstitions" (Hardy 18), sees the hand of portion dogmatic their lives. There is irony in Tess's attitude, as she is the victim of fate repeatedly throughout the novel despite her belief in free will (Page 111).
In many ways, Tess's fate is crocked when she falls asleep while driving the wagon and perchance kills the family horse, Prince. She immediately takes the blame upon herself, but her brother Abraham wonders, "'Tis because we be on a blighted star, and not a sound one, isn't it, Tess?" (Hardy 28). He suspects fate's role in the tragic event, but Tess is not at all convinced. Though she cannot see it at the time, the terminal of Prince sets a chain of events into motion that changes t
Indeed, Prince's wipeout is especially significant to the narrative, as the Durbeyfields' horse becomes an obvious type of fate's power within the novel. The loss of the horse is especially difficult for the Durbeyfields because it affects their source of income. Hardy explains that Prince's death "ameant ruin" for the family (29). Without the horse to generate a means of income for them, Tess is forced to find a business enterprise that provides for her family. This leads her to take a position within the d'Urbervilles' home, bringing her into contact with Alec d'Urberville. Certainly this is a turning point in Tess's life, as her relationship with Alec will ultimately bring her great disaster (Brady 94).
Through Prince's death, Hardy is therefore able to illustrate how one's fate can be altered by a unity event, even one as simple as the death of a horse.
At the same time, Hardy uses the characters who outwardly come to the fore to exercise free will to illustrate that fate will eventually exert its power over these types of people as well. The character of Alec d'Urberville seems to progress to control over his life, as he makes choices and is able to follow through with them. Such is the case with his friendship to Tess, who he is immediately taken with when she arrives at the d'Urbervilles' home to look into about a job. Indeed, Alec 'chooses' Tess, so while she does not have any romantic interest in him, she is literally forced to submit to his will. Alec schemes to have her alone in the woods, and once she is likewise tired to resist him, he rapes Tess. While Alec has chosen his actions, this is only if Tess's fate, as Hardy explains, "As Tess's own people big money in those retreats are never tired of saying among each(prenominal) other in their fatalistic way: 'It was to be.' There baffle the pity of it" (73).
Langbaum, Robert. Thomas Hardy in Our Time. New York: St. Martin's P, 1995.
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