Tess of the d’Urbervilles · Character

Jack Durbeyfield

Tess's father, a haggler and drinker who learns he is descended from the ancient d'Urbervilles and never lets anyone forget it.

supporting

Also known as John Durbeyfield, John, Sir John, Jacky

First appearance: Tess of the d'Urbervilles

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

Tess's father, who learns of his noble ancestry and becomes enamored with the idea of social status.

In the storyTess of the d'UrbervillesOpen this moment free

Jack Durbeyfield is a man whose one piece of good news — that his blood is noble — becomes the excuse for every subsequent failure to work. He boasts in the tavern, sleeps through the morning, and leaves his family to absorb the consequences of his vanity. His discovery is the hinge on which the whole plot turns, and his weakness is the first thing Tess has to carry.

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Character Web

19 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Tess's primary antagonists and lovers
Minor family, background, and symbolic figures
Tess's harsh employers and rivals
Protagonist

+14 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

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…

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Relationships

Tess Durbeyfield
family · negative
Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to… How this plays out →
Angel Clare
family · negative
Tess Durbeyfield
family · negative
Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to… How this plays out →
Angel Clare
family · negative
Tess Durbeyfield
family · negative
Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to… How this plays out →

Tess Durbeyfield
Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to the family's ruin.
Angel Clare
Angel is Jack's son-in-law, but he views Jack with disdain due to his drunkenness and irresponsibility.
Tess Durbeyfield
Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to the family's ruin.
Angel Clare
Angel is Jack's son-in-law, but he views Jack with disdain due to his drunkenness and irresponsibility.
Tess Durbeyfield
Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to the family's ruin.

Relationship notes

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

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In the story

Jack Durbeyfield appears across 18 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Tess's father, who learns of his noble ancestry and becomes enamored with the idea of social status.
Phase the First: The Maiden
Tess's father, who learns of his noble lineage from Parson Tringham and becomes enamored with the idea of his ancestry.
I
John Durbeyfield learns of his noble ancestry from Parson Tringham and begins to act with newfound pride, ordering a carriage and sending a message home.
Chapter II
Tess's father, seen riding in a chaise from The Pure Drop Inn, drunkenly singing about his noble ancestry and family vault, causing Tess embarrassment.
III
Has gone to Rolliver's inn to celebrate the news of his noble ancestry, despite his poor health.
The Ruin of Prince
Shows stoic pride in refusing to sell Prince's carcass, but later drinks at Rolliver's and boasts of the d'Urberville vault.
V
Jack is Tess's father, initially reluctant about the visit due to his pride in being the head of the noble branch, but he ultimately defers to his wife.
VI
Dreamily supports the idea of Tess marrying Alec to 'improve his blood' by linking to the old d'Urberville line.
VII
Napping after a morning drink, he jokes about selling the d'Urberville title for as little as twenty pounds.
VIII
Referenced in Tess's thoughts about facing her parents if she returned home.
The Chaseborough Fair and the Flight with Alec
Jack is referenced in the context of Tess's painful experiences at home, which spoil her enjoyment of the moonlight journey.
Phase the Second: Maiden No More
Jack is Tess's father, whose drunkenness and preoccupation with family ancestry contribute to the family's instability.
XIV
Refuses to allow a parson into the house to baptize the baby, locking the door out of pride and shame.
The Milkmaid's Journey
Mentioned in Tess's brief account of her family troubles.
Phase the Fifth: The Woman Pays
Jack is at home when Tess returns, and his condition adds to the family's struggles.
XXXVIII
Returns home with a hen, boasting about his ancestry; is mortified by the social implications of Tess's failed marriage, worrying about gossip at the inn.
L
Dies suddenly from a heart condition, leaving the family without a leaseholder.
LIV
Mentioned as deceased; his headstone is seen and paid for by Angel.

Chapter companion notes

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