It initially appeared in a censored and serialised version, published by the British illustrated newspaper The Graphic in , [ 1 ] then in book form in three volumes in , and as a single volume in Although now considered a major novel of the 19th century, Tess of the d'Urbervilles received mixed reviews when it first appeared, in part because it challenged the sexual morals of late Victorian England.
The novel is set in an impoverished rural England, Thomas Hardy's fictional Wessex. Tess Durbeyfield, a country girl of 16, is the eldest child of John Durbeyfield, a haggler, and his wife Joan. When the local parson tells John that "Durbeyfield" is a corruption of "D'Urberville" and that he is descended from an ancient Norman family, John celebrates by getting drunk.
Tess drives to market in her father's place, but falls asleep at the reins; the wagon crashes and the family's only horse is killed. Feeling guilty, she agrees to visit Mrs d'Urberville, a rich widow, to "claim kin", unaware that the widow's late husband Simon Stoke had adopted the surname to distance himself from his tradesman's roots. Alec d'Urberville, the son, is attracted to Tess and finds her a job as his mother's poultry keeper.
Tess resists Alec's manipulative attentions. One night, on the pretence of rescuing her from a fight, Alec takes her on his horse to a remote spot, and it is implied that he rapes her. The following summer, Tess gives birth to a sickly boy. Unable to find a parson prepared to christen a child born out of wedlock, Tess attempts to do it herself, naming her dying child Sorrow. Some years later, Tess finds employment as a milkmaid at Talbothays Dairy, where her past is unknown.
She falls in love with Angel Clare, an apprentice gentleman farmer who is studying dairy management. Angel's father, James Clare, a clergyman, is surprised that his son wishes to marry a milkmaid but makes no objection, understanding Tess to be a pure and devout country maiden.
