Tess Durbeyfield is a young and innocent country girl whose life takes a tumultuous turn when she discovers her noble lineage. Seduced and betrayed by the wealthy Alec d'Urberville, Tess's life is marked by hardship, tragedy, and unfulfilled dreams. As Tess grapples with the consequences of her past and struggles to find redemption, she faces the harsh realities of a society that judges her for her perceived sins and tarnished reputation. Through Tess's journey, Hardy explores themes of class, gender, and the cruelty of fate, painting a vivid and poignant portrait of a woman's struggle for agency and dignity in a world determined to oppress her. Tess of the D'Ubervilles was criticized for challenging sexual morals when it was first published in 1891, but has since then gone on to become an enduring classic and one of the major novels of the 19th century. THOMAS HARDY [1840-1928] was an English poet and author. His work is characterized by realism and criticism of the strict Victorian ideals which he believed limited people's lives and happiness. He achieved great success with the novel Under the Greenwood Tree [1872] and continued with successes such as Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d'Urbervilles.