Students examine the important theme of morality as they grapple with the contradictions inherent in the characters of Tess and Alec in this excerpt from MASTERPIECE’s 2008 version of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. As the scene illustrates, Tess may be seen by others a “fallen woman,” but she retains her sense of right and wrong. On the other hand, Alec uses his position in society and wealth to brutalize and manipulate Tess, proving his own lack of morality. 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, a biography of Hardy, and an article excerpt about gender roles in the nineteenth century.

Teaching Tips | Background Reading | Thomas Hardy: Biography | Gender Roles in the 19th Century (excerpt)