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 lineage, setting off a chain of events that explores themes of class, identity, and the struggles faced by the family in a harsh economic landscape. Tess's journey is marked by societal challenges and personal trials shaped by her family's newfound status.