Summary
Tess reluctantly agrees to visit the wealthy d'Urbervilles to ask for help after killing the family horse. Her guilt makes her defer to her mother's scheme despite her own misgivings about playing the poor relation. The journey takes her beyond her familiar valley world to The Slopes, a nouveau riche estate that surprises her with its newness—nothing like the ancient noble family she expected. She meets Alec d'Urberville, a young man with 'touches of barbarism' who immediately calls her 'my Beauty' and shows predatory interest. What Tess doesn't know is that the d'Urbervilles are frauds—a merchant family who bought the name from a genealogy book to gain social respectability. Alec manipulates the encounter, insisting on feeding her strawberries by hand and decorating her with flowers despite her discomfort. Hardy ominously notes that Alec represents the 'tragic mischief' of Tess's story, drawn to her womanly appearance that makes her seem older than she is. The chapter ends with Alec's crude laughter after she leaves, revealing his true character. Hardy reflects on life's cruel timing—how the wrong people appear at vulnerable moments while the right ones remain absent. This meeting sets the tragedy in motion, showing how economic desperation and family pressure can lead innocent people into dangerous situations.
Coming Up in Chapter 6
Alec d'Urberville wastes no time following up on his interest in Tess, arriving at the Durbeyfield cottage with an offer that seems too good to refuse—but comes with strings attached that will change Tess's life forever.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The haggling business, which had mainly depended on the horse, became disorganized forthwith. Distress, if not penury, loomed in the distance. Durbeyfield was what was locally called a slack-twisted fellow; he had good strength to work at times; but the times could not be relied on to coincide with the hours of requirement; and, having been unaccustomed to the regular toil of the day-labourer, he was not particularly persistent when they did so coincide. Tess, meanwhile, as the one who had dragged her parents into this quagmire, was silently wondering what she could do to help them out of it; and then her mother broached her scheme. “We must take the ups wi’ the downs, Tess,” said she; “and never could your high blood have been found out at a more called-for moment. You must try your friends. Do ye know that there is a very rich Mrs d’Urberville living on the outskirts o’ The Chase, who must be our relation? You must go to her and claim kin, and ask for some help in our trouble.” “I shouldn’t care to do that,” says Tess. “If there is such a lady, ’twould be enough for us if she were friendly—not to expect her to give us help.” “You could win her round to do anything, my dear. Besides, perhaps there’s more in it than you know of. I’ve heard what I’ve heard, good-now.” The oppressive sense of the harm she had done led Tess to be more deferential than she might otherwise have been to the maternal wish; but she could not understand why her mother should find such satisfaction in contemplating an enterprise of, to her, such doubtful profit. Her mother might have made inquiries, and have discovered that this Mrs d’Urberville was a lady of unequalled virtues and charity. But Tess’s pride made the part of poor relation one of particular distaste to her. “I’d rather try to get work,” she murmured. “Durbeyfield, you can settle it,” said his wife, turning to where he sat in the background. “If you say she ought to go, she will go.” “I don’t like my children going and making themselves beholden to strange kin,” murmured he. “I’m the head of the noblest branch o’ the family, and I ought to live up to it.” His reasons for staying away were worse to Tess than her own objections to going. “Well, as I killed the horse, mother,” she said mournfully, “I suppose I ought to do something. I don’t mind going and seeing her, but you must leave it to me about asking for help. And don’t go thinking about her making a match for me—it is silly.” “Very well said, Tess!” observed her father sententiously. “Who said I had such a thought?” asked Joan. “I fancy it is in your mind, mother. But I’ll go.” Rising early next day she walked to the hill-town called Shaston, and there took advantage of a van which twice in the week ran from Shaston...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Desperate Bargains
When crisis creates vulnerability, predators offer help with hidden costs that exploit your need.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how predators use your vulnerability against you, disguising boundary violations as kindness or opportunity.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone offering help makes you uncomfortable—trust that feeling even if you need what they're offering.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Slack-twisted fellow
A Victorian term for someone unreliable and lazy, who works only when he feels like it rather than when work needs doing. Durbeyfield has the strength to work but lacks consistency and discipline.
Modern Usage:
We'd call this person a flake - someone who shows up when it's convenient but disappears when you really need them.
Claiming kin
Approaching distant relatives to ask for help based on family connection, even if you've never met them. This was common when families fell on hard times in Hardy's era.
Modern Usage:
Like reaching out to that successful cousin you barely know on LinkedIn when you need a job reference.
Nouveau riche
People who recently acquired wealth but lack the breeding and manners of old money families. The d'Urbervilles bought their aristocratic name and estate but can't buy true class.
Modern Usage:
Think lottery winners buying mansions but still acting like they did before - money can't buy class or respect from established wealthy families.
Playing the poor relation
Humbling yourself before wealthier family members, accepting a lower status in exchange for their charity. It requires swallowing your pride and accepting their condescension.
Modern Usage:
Like having to ask your successful sibling for money and enduring their lectures about your life choices.
Predatory behavior
Alec's immediate focus on Tess's physical appearance and his insistence on feeding her strawberries shows classic predatory patterns - targeting vulnerable young women and crossing boundaries.
Modern Usage:
The older guy at work who singles out the young new hire, compliments her looks constantly, and finds excuses to touch her or be alone with her.
Social respectability
The d'Urbervilles purchased an aristocratic name to gain acceptance in higher social circles. In Victorian England, your family name determined your social standing and opportunities.
Modern Usage:
Like buying your way into exclusive country clubs or elite schools to network with the right people and improve your social status.
Characters in This Chapter
Tess Durbeyfield
Reluctant protagonist
Feels guilty about the horse accident and agrees to visit the d'Urbervilles despite her instincts. Her innocence and discomfort with Alec's advances show her vulnerability and moral compass.
Modern Equivalent:
The responsible oldest daughter who sacrifices her comfort to help the family out of financial trouble
Joan Durbeyfield
Manipulative mother
Pressures Tess to exploit their supposed noble connection for money. She's heard rumors that suggest there might be more to gain than just charity, showing her willingness to use her daughter.
Modern Equivalent:
The stage mom who pushes her talented kid into uncomfortable situations for the family's benefit
Alec d'Urberville
Predatory antagonist
Immediately sexualizes Tess by calling her 'my Beauty' and forcing physical intimacy through feeding her strawberries. His crude laughter after she leaves reveals his true intentions.
Modern Equivalent:
The creepy older guy with money who targets young women in desperate situations
John Durbeyfield
Unreliable father
His inconsistent work habits have left the family in financial distress after losing their horse. He represents the weakness that forces Tess into this dangerous situation.
Modern Equivalent:
The dad who can't hold down steady work and leaves the family scrambling to pay bills
Key Quotes & Analysis
"You must try your friends. Do ye know that there is a very rich Mrs d'Urberville living on the outskirts o' The Chase, who must be our relation?"
Context: Joan pressures Tess to approach the wealthy d'Urbervilles for help after their financial disaster
This shows how economic desperation makes families exploit any possible connection. Joan sees their supposed noble blood as a resource to be mined, not understanding the dangers she's sending Tess into.
In Today's Words:
You need to hit up those rich relatives we barely know - family is family, and they owe us something.
"Well, my Beauty, what can I do for you?"
Context: Alec's first words to Tess when they meet, immediately focusing on her appearance
This reveals Alec's predatory nature from the start. He doesn't see her as a person with a legitimate request, but as a beautiful object for his entertainment.
In Today's Words:
Well hello there, gorgeous - what brings you to see me?
"The oppressive sense of the harm she had done led Tess to be more deferential than she might otherwise have been to the mother's wishes"
Context: Explaining why Tess agrees to visit the d'Urbervilles despite her reservations
Hardy shows how guilt can make us vulnerable to manipulation. Tess's sense of responsibility for the family's problems makes her ignore her own instincts about this dangerous plan.
In Today's Words:
Because she felt so guilty about messing up, Tess went along with her mom's scheme even though it felt wrong.
Thematic Threads
Class Deception
In This Chapter
The d'Urbervilles are frauds who bought their noble name from a genealogy book, representing nouveau riche pretension rather than ancient nobility
Development
Introduced here - reveals the hollow nature of the class system Tess's family hopes will save them
In Your Life:
You might encounter people who use fake credentials, borrowed status, or purchased authority to seem more legitimate than they are
Economic Vulnerability
In This Chapter
Tess's guilt over killing the horse forces her into this dangerous situation despite her instincts warning her away
Development
Builds on the family's poverty established earlier, now showing how desperation creates exploitable moments
In Your Life:
Financial pressure might push you to accept help or opportunities that feel wrong but seem necessary for survival
Predatory Recognition
In This Chapter
Alec immediately identifies Tess as vulnerable and begins manipulating the encounter with physical boundary violations
Development
Introduced here - establishes the predator-prey dynamic that will drive the tragedy
In Your Life:
You might notice how certain people seem to instantly identify when you're struggling and offer help that comes with uncomfortable strings attached
Misplaced Guilt
In This Chapter
Tess's overwhelming guilt about the horse accident makes her feel obligated to pursue help she doesn't want
Development
Develops from her taking responsibility for family problems in earlier chapters
In Your Life:
Your sense of responsibility for family crises might make you accept situations that compromise your safety or values
Appearance vs Reality
In This Chapter
The Slopes estate looks impressive but represents purchased rather than inherited status, while Alec's charm masks predatory intentions
Development
Introduced here - begins the theme of things not being what they seem
In Your Life:
You might find that impressive appearances or charming behavior often hide less admirable realities underneath
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What warning signs does Tess notice about Alec, and why does she ignore them?
analysis • surface - 2
How does Tess's guilt about the horse make her vulnerable to manipulation?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today accepting help from someone who makes them uncomfortable because they're desperate?
application • medium - 4
What strategies could help someone distinguish between genuine help and exploitation when they're in crisis?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how predators identify and target vulnerable people?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Red Flags
Create two lists: everything about Alec's behavior that should have warned Tess away, and everything about her situation that made her ignore those warnings. Then think about a time when you or someone you know needed help - what red flags might you watch for in the people offering assistance?
Consider:
- •Notice how Alec immediately crosses physical boundaries and uses possessive language
- •Consider how guilt and family pressure can cloud judgment about dangerous situations
- •Think about why people who exploit others often target moments of crisis or vulnerability
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you needed help and had to evaluate whether someone's offer was genuine or came with hidden costs. What did you learn about protecting yourself while still accepting assistance?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 6: The Weight of Family Pressure
As the story unfolds, you'll explore guilt can be weaponized to manipulate decisions, while uncovering family expectations often conflict with personal instincts. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.