Tess of the d’Urbervilles · Character

Izz Huett

A Talbothays milkmaid whose frank, unguarded longing for Angel Clare makes her both Tess's companion and a quiet rival in love.

supporting

Also known as Izz, Huett

First appearance: xvii

As a supporting figure in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Izz Huett is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Another milkmaid at the dairy, part of the close-knit group of workers.

In the storyPhase the Third: The RallyOpen this moment free

Izz Huett appears in Tess of the d’Urbervilles as supporting figure.

Izz Huett first appears in 0022 xvii.

With Tess Durbeyfield (friendship): Izz Huett is a fellow dairymaid and friend who admires Tess and briefly considers marrying Angel after Tess is abandoned. With Angel Clare (social): Angel briefly considers marrying Izz after Tess's confession, but she refuses to be a substitute. With Marian (friendship): Izz and Marian are close friends and fellow dairymaids who share confidences and support each other.

See Izz Huett in Phase the Third: The Rally Book page

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Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Izz Huett sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Tess's primary antagonists and lovers
Minor family, background, and symbolic figures

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Angel Clare’s int…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Tess Durbeyfield
friendship · positive
Izz Huett is a fellow dairymaid and friend who admires Tess and briefly considers… How this plays out →
Angel Clare
social · ambivalent
Marian
friendship · positive
Marian
friendship · positive
Tess Durbeyfield
friendship · positive
Izz Huett is a fellow dairymaid and friend who admires Tess and briefly considers… How this plays out →
Angel Clare
social · ambivalent
Tess Durbeyfield
friendship · positive
Izz Huett is a fellow dairymaid and friend who admires Tess and briefly considers… How this plays out →
Marian
friendship · positive
Angel Clare
social · ambivalent

Tess Durbeyfield
Izz Huett is a fellow dairymaid and friend who admires Tess and briefly considers marrying Angel after Tess is abandoned.
Angel Clare
Angel briefly considers marrying Izz after Tess's confession, but she refuses to be a substitute.
Marian
Izz and Marian are close friends and fellow dairymaids who share confidences and support each other.
Marian
Izz and Marian are close friends and fellow dairymaids who share confidences and support each other.
Tess Durbeyfield
Izz Huett is a fellow dairymaid and friend who admires Tess and briefly considers marrying Angel after Tess is abandoned.
Angel Clare
Angel briefly considers marrying Izz after Tess's confession, but she refuses to be a substitute.
Tess Durbeyfield
Izz Huett is a fellow dairymaid and friend who admires Tess and briefly considers marrying Angel after Tess is abandoned.
Marian
Izz and Marian are close friends and fellow dairymaids who share confidences and support each other.
Angel Clare
Angel briefly considers marrying Izz after Tess's confession, but she refuses to be a substitute.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Izz Huett in xvii

In the story

Izz Huett appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Phase the Third: The Rally
Another milkmaid at the dairy, part of the close-knit group of workers.
XXI
Izz is a pale, dark-haired milkmaid who confesses to kissing the shadow of Angel's mouth on the wall. She is in love with Angel but acknowledges that Tess is his favorite.
XXII
Izz is one of the dairymaids Tess points out as pretty and suitable for Angel.
XXIII
Izz whispers to Tess at night and admits she hoped Angel would kiss her.
Phase the Fourth: The Consequence
Izz is briefly involved when Angel, in his confusion, nearly proposes to her as a substitute for Tess, but she refuses out of loyalty to Tess.
XXIX
Agrees with Marian that the widow should have told the truth or refused the man.
XXXI
Another dairy maid who loved Angel; she expresses her feelings and cannot hate Tess.
XL
Izz meets Angel, confesses her love for him, and briefly agrees to go with him to Brazil before being left behind.
XLIII
Joins Tess and Marian at Flintcomb-Ash, shares the labor, and is the subject of the revelation about Angel's proposal.
XLIV
Izz helps Tess dress for her journey and expresses magnanimous hope that Tess will win back Angel's affections.
XLV
Izz is seen with her new lover, Amby Seedling, and speaks with Tess about her own romantic situation.
XLVII
Works alongside Tess at the threshing, handing sheaves to Tess on the platform.
XLVIII
Izz Huett tells Tess from below that her hair is tumbling down, but Tess does not hear her due to her reverie.
XLIX
Angel recalls Izz's words about Tess's devotion, which contribute to his remorse.
LIII
Co-authors a letter with Marian urging Angel to care for Tess.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Izz Huett unlock in the free preview.

See Izz Huett in xvii

See Izz Huett in Phase the Third: The Rally