Alec d'Urberville
Tess's seducer and later, a religious convert.
Core Belief
"Alec is ultimately self-serving, seeking pleasure and control above all else. His religious conversion is more of a performance than a genuine transformation, and his actions are driven by ego and a desire to possess Tess."
Worldview
Alec sees the world as a playground for his own desires. He believes that he is entitled to take what he wants, and he has little regard for the feelings or well-being of others.
Personality
Alec is initially portrayed as a charismatic but unscrupulous libertine, driven by lust and a desire for power. After his supposed conversion, he becomes a zealous and somewhat unsettling evangelist. Ultimately, his underlying nature remains unchanged, and he reverts to his former self.
In Their Own Words
"“Well, my Beauty, what can I do for you?” said he, coming forward. And perceiving that she stood quite confounded: “Never mind me. I am Mr d’Urberville. Have you come to see me or my mother?”"
"“Being a few private friends I’ve asked in to keep up club-walking at my own expense,” the landlady exclaimed at the sound of footsteps, as glibly as a child repeating the Catechism, while she peered over the stairs. “Oh, ’tis you, Mrs Durbeyfield—Lard—how you frightened me!—I thought it might be some gaffer sent by Gover’ment.”"
"“What the devil is all this row about, work-folk?” he asked."
Other Characters from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman
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