Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Set against the backdrop of impoverished rural Wessex during the Long Depression, the story follows Tess, the eldest daughter of uneducated peasants John and Joan Durbeyfield. The narrative begins when Parson Tringham reveals to John that he has noble ancestry, setting off a chain of events that explores themes of class, identity, and the struggles of rural life. Tess's journey reflects the harsh realities of her environment and the societal expectations placed upon her.