Students explore major themes and the importance of characterization in this excerpt from MASTERIECE’s 2008 version of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. When the young and naïve Tess Durbeyfield first meets her “cousin,” the wealthy and jaded Alec D’Urberville, she is grateful for his attention and generosity. But, as the scene reveals, their character traits and the timeless themes of the story—love, betrayal, honesty—will combine to make this a moving story with a powerful message. See Teaching Tips for how to use the video in the classroom. This resource is part of the MASTERPIECE Collection.

Click on the links below to download Teaching Tips, a Background Reading, and a biography of Thomas Hardy.

Teaching Tips | Background Reading | Thomas Hardy: Biography