ardy's assertion that she is "A Pure Woman" as it shows her determined to lead a pious life despite this tragic event early in her life.
             Hardy portrays Tess as a philosopher, something that would have been almost revolutionary in Victorian writing. For a lowly farm girl to be shown as intellectually and spiritually superior to both Alec and Angel, her wealthy suitors was a very radical line for Hardy to take. There are many examples of Tess's analytical brain being shown. On page 56 Alec, surprised that Tess rejects his kiss remarks that she is "mighty sensitive for a farm girl". In a similar way, Tess's mother and father worry that Tess may not wish to marry in to wealth, "she is such an odd maid". These quotes do show Tess as 'pure', despite her social standing. Hardy also gives Tess a great ability to analyse her surroundings. Shortly before the death of Prince Tess sees her father's vanity and pride for what it is, looking past the visions of wealth that preoccupies the rest of her family.
             There is arguably, a negative side to Tess's philosophical leanings. On two or three notable occasions Hardy pairs Tess's dreamy 'reveries' with violence of some so
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