Fallen women could fall into a variety of categories. Some fallen women were prostitutes, but not all. ... Alec and Angel regarded Tess in different lights. ... Angel immediately puts Tess into the same category as fallen women. ... She has proven to fit the description of the typical fallen woman. ...
The second stage of the novel concerns Angel. ... She tries to write him a confessional note but unfortunately Angel never sees it. After their wedding, Angel and Tess both confess indiscretions: Angel tells Tess about an affair he had with an older woman in London, and Tess tells Angel about her history with Alec. Tess forgives Angel, but Angel cannot. ... Angel is a symbol of purity and the capitalistic social moralities. ...
People of Victorian Era idealized the Angel in the House," the view that the perfect woman was embodied in the submissive, selfless devotion of the domestic housewife. Most aptly epitomised in the telling title of Coventry Patmore's immensely popular verse novel The Angel in the House (1854), the Victorian concept of womanhood stressed woman's purity and selflessness. ... At the end, Laura is shown happily married and leading a happy family life which establishes Rossetti's belief how fallen women can be redeemed to the normal structures of society by love and affection. Rossett...
This beauty turns Tess into Angels idealized Goddess of nature and he still sees her as a pure woman, opposed to the fallen woman she has now turned into. However, Angels destruction of Tess is even more unbearable than Alecs. As a product of Victorian social culture, Angel cannot conceive of an equal relationship with a woman in his mind; his gender determines his superiority. Angels dissipation in London can be forgiven; while Tesss innocent misconduct cannot. Alecs violence and Angels rejection both reflect the hypocrisy and ill effect of narrow-minded prejudice regarding virginity and chas...
In the church men were considered fallen because of sexual desires that consumed them (Appell). ... While men strived for perfection, women had already reached an angelic sort of perfection. ... The biggest pressure a woman faced was being pure and angelic (Agress 169). ...
