Good and evil in Tess of the d'Urbervilles Although the central action of Tomas Hardy's novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" centers on Tess , the other characters are not without interest and individuality. Undoubtedly Tess's life is marked by two contradictory temperaments, those of the sensual Alec d'Urberville and the intellectual Angel Clare. Both characters are depicted with artistic detail to show a blend of weakness and strength governed by fate. Both are flesh and symbol that complement each other in the fall and rise, rise and fall of Tess herself, and both play a crucial role in shaping her destiny. Although Alec is the evil man in Tess's life, he has some good qualities, which emerge us more as a man than Angel does. Alec is tall with a dark complexion, rough red lips and a black moustache. There are touches of barbarism in his outline as well as a singular strength in his face. Alec feels sexually attracted to Tess from the start and, being outspoken about what he wants and how to get it, will do anything to get her. Eventually, his dark instincts reveal themselves and, taking advantage of Tess's youth and innocence, he seduces her. While we can't forgive him for raping Tess, we have to recognize that he's not a complete villain. What he shows is a combination of a desire to dominate her again and a genuine respect for her well-being. He is troubled by the sight of her agonizing labor in Flintcomb Ash, reacts against society for its cruel treatment of Tess's family, and offers to help her in various ways. However, Alec is angry at her ingratitude and very often teases her about her husband's disappearance, until Tess finally kills him. The other man in Tess's life is Angel Clar... center of the card... d on multiple levels: Alec abuses Tess in the flesh but Angel in spirit; Alec's condemnation of Tess's husband finds its equivalent in Angel's unexpressed condemnation of Tess's seducer. Alec returns, Angel only too late; Alec is in Tess's mind her real husband, while Angel who marries her is not and does not consummate the marriage, at least not until too late. As a result, it seems certain that neither Alec is completely bad nor Angel completely good. In both Hardy presents male dominance, with the consequent reduction of women in both, in the flesh and in the spirit. On the one hand Angel appears to be a better man than Alec but on the other it is Angel rather than Alec who destroys Tess with his rejection. In conclusion, although different, both men help her and both contribute to her ruin. In both cases Tess is always a victim.