The Treatment of Men and Women in Tess of the DUrbervilles Essay

The Treatment of Men and Women in Tess of the D'Urbervilles Tess now feels he can understand her problem. When she tells him he refuses to accept it, he has placed Tess on a pedestal and is mortified when she falls from it. She begs his forgiveness but he has become very cold towards her and doesn't seem to hear her pleas. Hardy really shows the double standards of the day by making both crimes so similar. We can see how differently men and women were treated. Today both genders are treated the same and Tess is seen as a victim, Angel gave consent and so is now seen as the one in the wrong. Angel is very cold and refers to Tess as a different person not the woman he loved. 'You were one person, now you are another'. Angel is too rational and socially aware of Tess' disgrace to forgive her. Tess is so distraught he cannot forgive her she contemplates taking her life but she can't because it will bring suspicion and shame on Angel. Tess becomes very reserved and says she will do what ever Angel asks. This does make a modern reader mad because she should not be begg...