Study Guide to Tess of d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

A comprehensive study guide offering in-depth explanation, essay, and test prep for Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles, one of Hardy’s most recognizable novels featuring a strong heroine.


As a novel of the Victorian era, Tess of the d’Urbervilles was first published as a censored series in the British magazine, The Graphic. When it was published later as a single novel, it was received with mixed criticisms: one side saying the book strained ideas of credibility and another saying the book was too pessimistic. Moreover, Hardy was and is extremely readable, and the general public has been attracted and held by his exciting plots and his deep feelings for the poor, for women, for animals, and for all those other persons who somehow have been dealt losing hands of life. This Bright Notes Study Guide explores the context and history of Hardy’s classic work, helping students to thoroughly explore the reasons it has stood the literary test of time. Each Bright Notes Study Guide contains:


- Introductions to the Author and the Work

- Character Summaries

- Plot Guides

- Section and Chapter Overviews

- Test Essay and Study Q&As


The Bright Notes Study Guide series offers an in-depth tour of more than 275 classic works of literature, exploring characters, critical commentary, historical background, plots, and themes. This set of study guides encourages readers to dig deeper in their understanding by including

essay questions and answers as well as topics for further research.