Christopher Booker is a scholar who wrote that every story falls into one of seven basic plot structures: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, the Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth. Shmoop explores which of these structures fits this story like Cinderella’s slipper.
Plot Type : Tragedy
Anticipation Stage
Tess's family is tough shape financially, so her parents send her to ask for help from their distant "relatives," the D'Urbervilles.
Typically, the protagonist in a tragedy is ambitious, and tries to get ahead in some way that leads to tragic results. In Tess of the D'Urbervilles, it's her parents' foolish ambition that paves the way for the tragedy. Tess, as we all know, is raped by her "cousin," Alec D'Urberville. After the baby dies, Tess leaves home for a fresh start at the Talbothays Dairy.
Dream Stage
Tess and Angel meet, fall in love, and get married.
Everything seems to be going fine for Tess at Talbothays—everyone's happy, no one knows her past, and she and Angel Clare are falling in love. She doesn't want to get married because of what happened to her with Alec.
But she's so in love that she decides that the past doesn't matter, and finally agrees to marry Angel. Again, though, things aren't really in Tess's control—it was Angel who persuaded her to get married.
Frustration Stage
Tess and Angel marry; Tess confesses everything on their wedding night.
Marrying Angel without telling him about her past ahead of time was a big mistake, and it locks her into the tragic trajectory. Angel leaves her by herself, and her pride makes it impossible for her to ask his parents for money when she runs out. She has to work for herself and her family.
Nightmare Stage
Alec finds Tess, and becomes obsessed with her again.
Alec just won't stop harassing Tess. He taunts her for being abandoned by her husband, and continually insists that he'll never come back to her. Then, after her father dies, he steps in and offers to help Tess's mother and younger siblings—but only if she'll marry him. Things are completely out of Tess's control at this point.
Destruction or Death Wish Stage
Angel returns, and Tess murders Alec.
Once Angel gets back from Brazil and begs Tess for forgiveness, she realizes that Alec has completely ruined her life. His actions have separated her from Angel twice now, and his rape hurt not only her, but also Angel. Tess gets arrested and executed for murder.