Quote analysis- exploring themes of gender and the patriarchy

The theme of gender is undeniably prominent in Hardy’s novel, as he explores the powerlessness of women and male dominance. For all my readers out there studying Tess of the D’Urbervilles for their A-Levels, this post may be of some use to you!

1. “She might have seen that what had bowed her head so profoundly- the thought of the world’s concern at her situation- was founded on an illusion”

Context- This moment occurs in the novel subsequently after Tess confesses her past with Alec to Angel Clare on their wedding night. Angel, instead of forgiving her as Tess had hoped ( after Tess so quickly forgave him for his own sin ), rejects her both emotionally and physically, saying that they were never truly married.

• “Bowed her head” has implications of not just grief from her feelings towards her first encounter with Alec, yet also subjunction, and even ritual guilt- like someone punished, ashamed, or defeated. It also evokes religious imagery- painting Tess as a penitent woman, despite now having actually sinned. Tess’ posture acts as a reflection of her internalized shame that is not hers to bear; it has been assigned to her by a society that values ‘purity’ over truth.
• “The thought of the world’s concern at her situation”. The use of the abstract noun “concern” is ironic- it’s not stemming from a place of empathy, rather judgement. In this context, it is used as a euphemism for gossip, moral outrage, and the societal death sentence women faced for sexual impurity- even when coerced. Society does not care for Tess: it condemns her.
• “Founded on an illusion”. The idea that Tess is ruined is a cultural fiction- a collective delusion society maintains to preserve patriarchal power. The illusion is that her worth has been erased by one man’s actions, which is the very notion that Hardy is aiming to call out.

This moment in the novel is a key part of Tess’ psychological imprisonment. Even though she has done nothing wrong, she feels ruined because that is what society has condemned her to believe. And that is the illusion. This quote alone exposes the devastating lie that a woman’s worth can be undone by male violence- and how deeply the world has tricked us into believing so.