# Old Mr. Clare — Tess of the d’Urbervilles character guide

> Old Mr. Clare in Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Reverent Mr. Clare, Mr. Clare, the present Mr. Clare

**First appearance:** 0031-xxv

## Who they are

Angel's father, a grave, earnest clergyman whose rigid Evangelical conscience and genuine charity shape the moral world his son both inherits and rebels against.

## In the story

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xviii)

Angel's father, a devout vicar, is recalled in a flashback. He is shocked and disappointed when Angel refuses to enter the Church, revealing a deep generational and ideological divide.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxv)

Angel's father, an earnest Evangelical clergyman, is described as sincere but extreme in his views, with a temperament antipathetic to Angel's recent experiences.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxvi)

Angel's father, a devout clergyman, shares his experiences with conversions and recounts his confrontation with Alec d'Urberville.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxvii)

Mentioned by Angel as having preached near Trantridge and confronted a 'lax young cynic' (Alec d'Urberville).

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Writes a sad letter to Angel expressing disappointment but accepting the marriage.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxxix)

Angel's father, who reads the chapter of Proverbs in praise of a virtuous wife during family prayers, unwittingly deepening Angel's anguish.

### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xlix)

Old Mr. Clare reads Tess's letter and decides to forward it to Angel, reflecting on his son's marriage.

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/liii)

Waits anxiously with his wife for Angel's arrival, later learns the real reason for the separation.

## Links

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