Abstract: This paper aims to analyze the symbolism in Tess of the D’Urbervilles. On the one hand, among natural symbols, bird symbolizes mood of the heroine and cow is the symbolic spectator of society; white flower expresses Tess’s purity and short-lived happiness while red rose symbolizes Alec’s ugly nature under beautiful appearance; the sun represents the heroine’s situation while fog stands for unknown difficulties. On the other hand, among biblical symbols, Tess is considered as Eve and Jesus in reality; Angel is an incarnation of angels; Alec is as evil as Satan; church symbolizes the unbelievable myth of the d’Urbervilles. In short, symbolism becomes an essential part of the novel and is closely associated with the story of a woman harmed by the nineteenth-century moral standard.

Key words: symbolism; Tess of the D’Urbervilles

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction .1 

1.1 Introduction to Tess of the D’Urbervilles

1.2 Introduction to Symbolism

2. Natural Symbols.2 

2.1 Animals

 2.1.1 Bird

 2.1.2 Cow

2.2 Plants

 2.2.1 The White Flower

 2.2.2 The Red Rose

2.3 Scenes

 2.3.1 The Sun

 2.3.2 Fog

3.Biblical Symbols5

3.1 Characters

 3.1.1 Tess

 3.1.2 Angel

 3.1.3 Alec

3.2 Church

4.Conclusion9

Bibliography10

Acknowledgments11