Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Symbolism

Hardy frequently uses the colours red and white throughout the novel.

These colours have connotations of their own but are often used together on funeral wreaths - red to symbolise affection (put on the graves of family members) - foreshadowing the death of John Durbyfield, and white to symbolise innocence - put on the graves of children - foreshadowing and representing the death of Sorrow.

Red connotations - 

• danger
• lust
• passion
• the colour blood
• hell

all of which are present in the novel

White connotations - 

• angelicness
• holiness
• purity
• innocence
• chastity
• heaven

Tess is often described as wearing white, including when she is *****, supporting the representation of her as an innocent, pure woman.

Quotations

• 'scarlet blot' (on ceiling after Alec's death)
• the 'rich crimson of Alec's house'
• "one who stood fair to be the blood-red ray in the spectrum of her young life."
• Prince's death
• "red-tyrant machine" 

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