Hardy’s novel Tess of D’Urbervilles is centered around a pure naive heroine Tess

Hardy’s novel Tess of D’Urbervilles is centered around a pure naive heroine Tess. However Tess would have never received such tragedies such as rape or even death had it not been for the two male characters, Alec D’Urbervilles and Angel Claire. Both of these men are the cause for Tess’ tragedies and utter downfall. Alec, Tess’s cousin, became attracted and enamoured with Tess , but then proceeds to rape and leave her with their child who unfortunately passed away. The other male is Angel Clare, an intellectual who is introduced to Tess when they were children but returns around when Tess became a dairy maid. Eventually they become smitten, but it is later blinded due to Tess’ past. Hardy created Alec to be the polar opposite of Angel through physical traits and personality but as the story continues they are both are the reason for Tess’ death, but they approach it is different.