# Alec d'Urberville — Tess of the d’Urbervilles character guide > Alec d'Urberville in Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alec, Mr. Alec, Alexander, d'Urberville, D'Urberville **First appearance:** 0008-v ## Snapshot A wealthy young man who buys the d'Urberville name and uses it to take what he wants, then returns in preacher's clothes to ask for more. ## Who they are Alec is the novel's most dangerous kind of predator: charming, self-justifying, and convinced of his own generosity. He reappears at the swede-field in semi-clerical dress, offering Tess a marriage licence and a missionary's future, and his compunction and his desire arrive tangled in the same breath. He matters because he never stops believing that his desire for Tess is a form of duty — and because she never stops refusing him. ## In the story ### [Tess of the d'Urbervilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/tess-of-the-d-urbervilles) The wealthy and predatory man who seduces Tess, leading to her downfall. ### [Phase the First: The Maiden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/phase-the-first-the-maiden) The wealthy and manipulative young man who seduces Tess, leading to her pregnancy and the death of her child. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/v) Alec is the young, handsome, and predatory son of Mrs. d'Urberville. He meets Tess at The Slopes, is immediately attracted to her, and offers her a job, setting the stage for their fateful relationship. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/vi) Visits the Durbeyfield home on horseback, pressing Tess to accept the poultry farm position and showing interest in her. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/vii) Arrives in a spick-and-span gig to pick up Tess, urging her to ride with him instead of the humble cart. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/viii) Alec uses his horse's speed and danger to coerce Tess into physical contact, kissing her against her will and displaying manipulative, predatory behavior. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/ix) Alec playfully teaches Tess to whistle, calling her 'Cousin Tess' with mockery. He hides behind curtains to observe her and later approaches her in the garden. ### [The Chaseborough Fair and the Flight with Alec](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/x) Alec appears at the fair, watches Tess, and persuades her to ride with him, asserting his dominance over the situation. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xi) Deliberately prolongs the ride into The Chase, manipulates Tess into staying, and returns to find her sleeping. ### [Phase the Second: Maiden No More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/phase-the-second-maiden-no-more) Alec is the catalyst for Tess's suffering, having seduced her in the previous phase; his actions define her current plight. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xii) Overtakes Tess on the road, offers to drive her partway home, but she refuses to return to him; he is cold and dismissive of her distress. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xiii) Referenced as the 'thirty-first cousin' whose reputation as a reckless gallant lends fascination to Tess's supposed conquest. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xv) Referenced in Tess's reflections on the disastrous night at Trantridge and the finery he gave her, which she put by with contempt. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxvi) Mentioned as a young upstart squire who insulted Mr. Clare after being rebuked for his immoral behavior. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxvii) Indirectly referenced as the 'lax young cynic' whom Angel's father confronted; his mention causes Tess distress. ### [Phase the Fifth: The Woman Pays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/phase-the-fifth-the-woman-pays) Alec reappears as a preacher but continues to pursue Tess, eventually convincing her to return to him. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xli) Mentioned indirectly when Tess is accosted by a man who recognizes her as 'young Squire d'Urberville's friend' from Trantridge. ### [Phase the Sixth: The Convert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/phase-the-sixth-the-convert) Alec has undergone a religious conversion and is now a preacher, but his old desires resurface when he sees Tess again. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xlv) Alec has undergone a religious conversion and appears as a Methodist preacher. He follows Tess to express his desire to save her soul. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xlvi) Alec abandons his preaching, proposes marriage to Tess, and struggles with his revived passion after learning she is married. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xlvii) Reappears at the farm, having abandoned his evangelical preaching; confronts Tess on the rick, claims she caused his loss of faith, and asserts his intention to master her again. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xlviii) Alec returns and stands under the hedge by the gate, waving and blowing a kiss to Tess, indicating their quarrel is over. He hovers around the threshing scene, observing her. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/l) Disguises himself as a laborer to approach Tess, tries to tempt her with help, and leaves in anger after being rebuffed. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/li) Alec reappears, tries to persuade Tess to accept his help, and recounts the d'Urberville coach legend. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/lii) Alec finds the Durbeyfields in Kingsbere, confronts Tess in the church, and offers to help them find shelter. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/lv) Mentioned as being upstairs; he has persuaded Tess that Angel would never return. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/lvi) Present in the adjoining bedroom; his voice is heard responding to Tess's cries, and he is later found dead in bed with a stab wound to the heart. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/alec_durberville - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters