Joan’s letter to Angel gives a hint that all is not well with Tess. The letter is short and terse, informing Angel that Joan has no idea where Tess has gone. He hurries to Flintcomb-Ash, Marlott, and Kingsbere to look for Tess. Joan recognizes Angel and is somewhat reticent to tell him all that she knows about Tess. Perhaps with the family’s recent troubles in Marlott, she is keenly aware that the neighbors may judge her as harshly as did the people of Marlott. Angel asks, “Do you think Tess would wish me to try and find her?” Joan replies, “I don’t think she would.” Angel feels that Tess would want to see him again, even under these circumstances. Joan’s remark that she cannot understand her daughter is especially telling, “That’s very likely, sir; for I have never really known her.” One cannot but help to see Tess as a mystery, too. Hardy’s point is that even though we know people all of our lives, we oftentimes really do not “know” a person, no matter how hard we try. It is also a mother’s exasperated response about how a daughter can grow up before her eyes and still be foreign to her.
The scene at The Herons in Sandbourne between Tess and Angel is plausible because she is now living with Alec and has forsaken her husband. The outcome of the conversation between Tess and Angel is expected. However, the events in Chapter 56 are extraordinary and not expected. Tess kills her “master” with a carving knife to get away from him and to rid herself of the person who turned her life upside down. She rages when she discovers Alec’s deception and manipulation of her.
When the deed is done, like a Greek tragedy, the action is off-stage. The only hint of Alec’s murder is his blood staining the ceiling of the room below his—“The oblong white ceiling, with this scarlet blot in the midst, had the appearance of a gigantic ace of hearts.” Tess’ choice of stabbing Alec in the heart is noteworthy because the heart is the seat of emotion, and stabbing him in the heart kills the emotional side of their relationship; thus Tess has no “emotional strings” attached to Alec any longer. She is truly free from his influence, but at a tremendous price.
