Hardy's novel, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, seemingly insignificant coincidences change

Tess' life for the worse. The belief that the order of things is already decided and that

people's lives are determined by a "greater power" is called fate. Many people, called

fatalists, believe that they have no power in determining their futures. Despite

fate, many others believe that coincidence is the only explanation for the way their lives

and others turn out. Thomas Hardy's portrayal of chance and coincidence can be seen in

a number of events that are quite influential and create major effects on Tess' future.

The first event occurring when Tess Durbeyfield's father, discovered that their family came from the oldest, and at one time most wealthy family in England. Parson Tringham reveals this to John Durbeyfield when he states, "lineal representative of the ancient and knightly family of the d'Urbervilles, who . . . came from Normandy with William the Conqueror."(p. 18) This news suddenly changes Durbeyfield's view on his family's lifestyle and he decides that they should be living as their knightly and noble ancestors once did. With this revelati

Through each and every one of these coincidences, Tess's life changed quite dramatically. Each event that occurred by complete chance left Tess in a predicament where she was compelled to take control and do something to improve the situation. No matter where she was--in the location of her birthplace, a sheltered little town, or in the comfortable landscape that surrounded the dairy, or even in the harsh scenery of the farm-- Tess always knew where she belonged and what she was meant to do in each place. Every coincidence or occurrence that came along, forced Tess to rethink her situation and draw up the courage that to realize who she was and where she was going. The consequences that came, due to her decisions were all ones that Tess was ready for. Even when sixteen men followed her so that she could be punished for the murder of Alec d'Urberville. "'It is as it should be. . .This happiness could not have lasted. . .I am ready.'" (p.417)The potent tragedy of Tess's life is that her decisions have always been made with good and pure intentions but have resulted in damaging consequences.Tess is undoubtedly a victim as misery punctuates her life. She is a victim of circumstance in that her individuality makes little difference to her fate, she is a victim of society in the sense that she is a scapegoat of narrow - mindedness and she is a victim of male ideology on the grounds that her powers of will and reason are undermined by her sensuality. Tess herself sums up her own blighted life best; 'Once avictim, always a victim - that's the law!'

on, the downward spiral of Tess' life begins. Her once simple life is now trifled with complexity. However, it is primarily the death of the h

Some common words found in the essay are:
Angel Clare, Tess Tess, Throughout Hardy's, William Conquerorp, Knowing Angel, Thomas Hardy's, John Durbeyfield, Prince Durbeyfield's, Clarep226 Despite, Tess Durbeyfield's, tess's life, tess' life, tess's father, murder alec d'urberville, angel return, coincidence tess's, alec d'urberville, life lead, letter past, murder alec, major coincidence,
Approximate Word count = 1141
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)