View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 29 who tells a story that influences Tess greatly?

2. What does the parson tell Mr. Durbeyfield?

3. In the story that is recounted in Chapter 29, who is the main male character?

4. What is Tess's mother's response when she hears about the sexual encounter between Tess and Alec?

5. How does Mr. Crick hear that the butter has a funny taste?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Tess and Angel manage to spend time together at Talbothays?

2. Why does Tess tell Angel she will explain everything to him the next Sunday?

3. What arguments does Angel give his parents to convince them that marrying Tess is a good idea?

4. What is the local superstition about butter with a funny taste?

5. What happens on the drive to Mrs. D'Uberville's home?

6. In Chapter 11, what happens between Alec and Tess?

7. Angel uses the phrase "Three Leahs to get to one Rachel." What does he mean by this?

8. In Chapter 19, Hardy introduces another of the perceived road blocks to the relationship between Tess and Angel, from her point of view. What?

9. Why is Tess upset when her baby becomes ill and dies, and what does this show about her attitude towards religion?

10. What kind of personality is Tess's mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Tess is constantly pursued (by Angel, by Alec, by poverty, by bad luck, and perhaps by fate). Hardy makes this theme clear using a number of symbolic references, such as the scene with the dying pheasants, and reference to the place where Alec seduced her as "The Chase". Discuss at least three such symbols and say how they add to the overall atmosphere of oppression that surrounds Tess as 'the hunted' character.

Essay Topic 2

Alec asks Tess to wear a veil so that she won't tempt him. Then he asks her to swear on a holy icon that she will never tempt him again. What does this scene say about Alec's attitude towards Tess particularly, and women in general?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 47, Alec tells Tess that because she is the cause of his religious backsliding, she is obligated to marry him and share in his fate. What does he mean by this, and does his reasoning make any sense?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,078 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample