Some last minute notes thrown together in study support tonight.
Symbolism:
· The colours red and white –white has connotations of purity – note Tess wearing white at the beginning, but with a single streak of red tied in her hair – suggests her purity will be tainted. Red symbolises blood, death and lust. Tess becomes covered with red at various points in the book. The scriptures on the fences are written in “vermillion”.
· Animals – Pheasants – Prince – D’urberville birds – Animals are usually killed by stronger forces that manipulate them – clear correlation with Tess as a vulnerable woman
· Nature – the Garden of Eden – Tess and Angel at Talbothay’s are portrayed in terms of being the first humans, Adam and Eve – the world is their own – without sin – pure.
