# Jack Durbeyfield — Tess of the d’Urbervilles character guide > Jack Durbeyfield in Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** John Durbeyfield, John, Sir John, Jacky **First appearance:** 0002-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles ## Snapshot Tess's father, a haggler and drinker who learns he is descended from the ancient d'Urbervilles and never lets anyone forget it. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Tess Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/tess_durbeyfield) _family_ Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to the family's ruin. ### [Angel Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/angel_clare) _family_ Angel is Jack's son-in-law, but he views Jack with disdain due to his drunkenness and irresponsibility. ### [Tess Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/tess_durbeyfield) _family_ Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to the family's ruin. ### [Angel Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/angel_clare) _family_ Angel is Jack's son-in-law, but he views Jack with disdain due to his drunkenness and irresponsibility. ### [Tess Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/tess_durbeyfield) _family_ Jack is Tess's irresponsible and alcoholic father whose pride in their lineage leads to the family's ruin. ## 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) Tess's father, who learns of his noble ancestry and becomes enamored with the idea of social status. ### [Phase the First: The Maiden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/iii) Has gone to Rolliver's inn to celebrate the news of his noble ancestry, despite his poor health. ### [The Ruin of Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/iv) Shows stoic pride in refusing to sell Prince's carcass, but later drinks at Rolliver's and boasts of the d'Urberville vault. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/vi) Dreamily supports the idea of Tess marrying Alec to 'improve his blood' by linking to the old d'Urberville line. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/vii) Napping after a morning drink, he jokes about selling the d'Urberville title for as little as twenty pounds. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/viii) Referenced in Tess's thoughts about facing her parents if she returned home. ### [The Chaseborough Fair and the Flight with Alec](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/x) 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxx) Mentioned in Tess's brief account of her family troubles. ### [Phase the Fifth: The Woman Pays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/phase-the-fifth-the-woman-pays) Jack is at home when Tess returns, and his condition adds to the family's struggles. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/l) Dies suddenly from a heart condition, leaving the family without a leaseholder. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/liv) Mentioned as deceased; his headstone is seen and paid for by Angel. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/jack_durbeyfield - 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