Tess of the D'Urbervilles, written by Thomas Hardy in 1891, tells the tragic story of Tess Durbeyfield, a beautiful country girl from a poor family. Sent to work for the wealthy d'Urbervilles, she is seduced by Alec d'Urberville and bears a child who dies in infancy. Later, Tess marries Angel Clare, but when she confesses her past, he abandons her. Impoverished and desperate, she becomes Alec's mistress. When Angel finally returns seeking forgiveness, Tess murders Alec and briefly reunites with Angel before being arrested and executed. The novel powerfully critiques Victorian moral hypocrisy and society's unjust treatment of women.
