By Sickboy

From the beginning of time, human civilization is always divided into three distinctions; villains, heroes, and commoners. In Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles, there is no exception to the normal. Throughout the story Hardy introduces many people, some heroes, some villains, and others commoners. The characters all have clear cut labels except Angel Clare and Alec d'Urberville. Alec and Angel are not labeled as heroes or villains because both men posses positive and negative attributes.

In today's society, the public is very aware of villains and heroes, but what really constitutes these distinctions? A hero is defined as, "a person or boy admired for his bravery, great deeds, or noble qualities" (World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary 926), but society also places labels like this on undeserving people. This phenomenon not only applies to heroes but also to villains, "a very wicked person, scoundrel, or knave." (2178).

Throughout Tess of the d'Urbervilles examples of heroes and villains are given. ,starting with Tess, the books' heroine. Along with her heroism, Hardy presented a prominent villain, Jack Durbeyfield, her father. Naturally Jack and Tess are not the only heroes or heroines and villains presented in the story; or are they?

Perhaps the most questionable character in Tess of the d'Urbervilles is Angel Clare. Angel was an intruder into the Essex country life, hence, different from anyone around him. He was raised in a clerical family: he could be considered a hero because of this noble quality. Yet he was no longer comfortable with his family so he moved on to a different lifestyle, agriculture (Coles 70). It was this move that led him to his true love, Tess.

While at Talbothay's dairy farm Angel displays a true heroic quality; his undying devotion to his dream, "Forgive me, Tess dear. I ought to have asked. I did not mean it as a liberty. I am devoted to you, Tessy, dearest, in all sincerity." (Hardy 118).

For the duration of his [Angels'] stay at the farm he was constantly hindered by the other workers love for him, but he only loved Tess so this presented quite a problem. "Perfect, he, as a lover, might have called them off-hand. But no: they were not perfect." (118), gives an excellent example of a noble belief where he sticks with his goal, which again presents evidence for his labeling as a hero.

Soon, after many proposals, Angel finally achieves his goal, the planned marriage of Tess. Angel's goal was achieved because of his positive attributes. He adds to his untarnished image by defending Tess the night after their marriage, showing that he could truly be a hero. But Angel still cannot be considered a complete angel worthy of being known as a hero. As the following evidence proves Angel was a piece of silver waiting to gain tarnish.

Angel Clare was not always a loving, caring gentlemen. In fact, sometimes he was a downright rotten human being. When he [Angel] teaches Tess manners and speech to assure that she will never embarrass him in public, the villainous side of his character is revealed (70). He also appears in one of the novels most controversial scenes; "the mystical music from his harp and the grotesque fascination with garden slugs and images of fecundity and chaos." (Kramer 46). This strikingly graphical account shows a sick demented side to Angel that is parallel to the behavior of a villain.

Angel also experiences much grief over the realization of Tess's unchastity. He picks up, after much thought, and leaves his spouse; a cowardly and villainous way to live. Yet he never left Tess with nothing:

A few days, accordingly, were all that she allowed herself here, at the end of which time she received a short note from Clare, informing her that he had gone to the North of England to look at a farm. . . . of the fifty pounds Clare had given her, . . .

Angel, by providing for Tess, unveils the heroism in himself that was suddenly put away when the realization of Tess's unpurity struck him.

Clare was a contemporary man because of his beliefs. Even though he considered himself semi-emancipated from his clerical father and family (70), he still possessed the Christian views of the time, especially on the basis of morality. This contemporary view was what lost Angel his wife, which he himself knew to some extent, "Then he [Angel] became weary and anxious; and his anxiety increased. He [Angel] wondered if he had treated her unfairly." (204).

Angel made a serious blooper in the acting out of his beliefs when he invited Izz to join him in Brazil, "I am going to Brazil alone, Izz, I have separated from my wife for personal, not voyaging, reasons. I may never live with her again. I may not be able to love you; but-will you go with me instead of her?" (211). This complete reversal regarding his beliefs revealed that he [Angel] was still very young and naive. His views of the world clashed and that made him very susceptible to influence rather than reason.

Although he was very likable, the sorrow he could inflict seemed to overweigh his positive attributes. Still, Angel Clare was no villain, not even a hero, but just a simple commoner caught between the views of a religious society and a modern lifestyle.

In Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Alec d'Urberville [ Not a d'Urberville at all, rather a regrafted name which wanted renovation (50). An excellent sign of villainy; deceit.] was a kind yet dangerous man. He proved his dangerous nature through his treatment of Tess.

It started when he drove Tess in the rig. Alec drove very fast and out of control. The ride was so rough that Tess refused to subject herself to that danger any longer, "No. I shall walk." (41). She [Tess] did not get off for this reason only, "Let me put one little kiss on those holmberry lips, Tess; or even on that warmed cheek . . ." (40). The behavior demonstrated by Alec was and still is unacceptable. By taking a dangerous risk against a woman's life he unveiled his villainy and bargaining for a kiss makes him look even more blackened. "An early Zoro [Alec]." (Poole 56), sums up his early actions in the novel.

Although Tess objected to this type of behavoir Alec manipulation weakened her willpower and the kiss was so. Alec immediately slowed down as a gentleman would have in the first place. But as Tess wiped away the kiss Alec became infuriated and drove like an idiot once again. Again revealing that such temperament and hate lie just under the surface; a very negative aspect of his personality.

Alec's personality and actions are not the only negative attributes he possesses. As his physical appearance reveals. From his tall swarthy complexion to his black curly mustache (71), he looks like a villain, but, looks are not everything.

The most superior evidence for his villainy is the taking of Tess's virginity in the bushes. Alec took one of the only vestiges a woman could give up by her own will. Perhaps, the motive behind what he did can be summed up in one passage:

. . . Tess eating in a half-pleased, half-reluctant state whatever d'Urberville offered her. When she could consume no more of the strawberries he filled her little basket with them: and then the two passed round to the rose trees, whence he gathered blossoms and gave her to put in her bosom. She obeyed like one in a dream, and when she could affix no more he [Alec] himself tucked a bud or two into her hat, . . . (Hardy 30)

Evidently, one could make the inference that the strawberries were forced to ripen early just as Alec forced Tess to ripen prematurely (51). Was it just coincidence that Alec did this or did he really have an affinity for forcing things upon people who objected? His sick infatuation with Tess showed us a part of his nature that many would rather forget.

Although Alec had the potential, and used it many times, to be dangerous, he also possessed a lot of positive qualities and made use of them extensively throughout the novel. One of the first signs of actual kindness and love towards Tess, happened on the night of Tess's greatest Tragedy.

Tess was in a heated battle with the Queen of Spades, which seen her on the losing end if she were to par take. That was until her knight in shining armor came along [Alec], "What the devil is all this row about, warfolk?" (52). After a quick explanation from Tess, Alec offered to save her from the dangerous situation, "Jump up behind me, and we'll get shot of the screaming cats in a jiffy!" (52). That simple yet thoughtful gesture shows to everyone just how kind Alec really could be. It also revealed that his love for Tess was unending and worthy or recognition.

Again, Alec proved he was indeed a man totally in love:

Don't cry, dear, dear one! Now sit down here and wait till I come. Are you cold? . . . A clamber over the hill into the adjoining vale brought him to the fence of a highway whose contours he recognized, which settled the question of their where abouts. (56-570)

By searching for a way Alec again made sure of the safety of his love. This gesture showed that he indeed possessed a few heroic qualities. His true heroic, courage was shinning through. Not only was the heroism uncovered but now his love for Tess was evident to all who doubted.

When Alec appeared later in the novel he exposes his new beliefs and tells Tess that he feels remorse for what he did to her, ". . . I repeat that I do not blame you," (254), a true heroic quality. "I had no idea of what had resulted till you told me. Scary that I was to foul that innocent life. The whole blame was mine; . . ."(247), again shows his remorseful feelings and strengthens his label as a hero.

Although Alec appears to be a clear cut villain he is nothing of the sort. Once a look at his actions has been under taken, it is easy to see that he himself is more a commoner, like Angel, but, Alec's loving actions present him as more of a man than Angel. Yet even with his new lifestyle his past still haunted him but very little.

Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare are the old English version of the Dukes of Hazzard. Even though both have had a rough past they also had very triumphant times which backed up their position. Angel and Alec were neither heroes nor villains but young men caught in a state of mind known only to them. Their many positive and negative attributes prove just that.

Coles Editorial Board. "Coles Notes". Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Coles Publishing Company. Toronto: 1992.

Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the D'Urbervilles . 3rd Ed. Ed. Scott Elledge. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1991.

"Hero." World Bood Encyclopedia Dictionary. 1967 ed.

Kramer, Dale. Tess of the d'Urbervilles." Landmarks of World Literature. Ed. J.P.Stern. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991.

"Villain." World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary. 1967 ed.