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Tess of the d’Urbervilles · Character

Jonathan Kail

An elderly farm worker who helps Tess and her family at various times.

minor

Also known as Jonathan, old Jonathan

First appearance: xlii

Jonathan Kail shows up with force in XXXIV. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Jonathan arrives late with the luggage and delivers the news of Retty's suicide attempt.
In the storyXXXIVOpen this moment free

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In XXXIV: Jonathan arrives late with the luggage and delivers the news of Retty's suicide…

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The fuller portrait of Jonathan Kail sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Jonathan Kail in xlii

Character Web

11 connections

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

MAMarianWDWilliam DewyIHIzz HuettKNKnibbsCDCar DarchJKJonathan Kail

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

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

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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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In the story

Jonathan Kail appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Jonathan Kail unlock in the free preview.

See Jonathan Kail in xlii
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