The jewels

Once Tess and Clare finally unit a package arrives containing Angel’s grandmother’s heirloom jewels. Angel is anxious for Tess to put the jewels on as he shrieks, “put them on – put them on!” Like an overly excited child, Angel waits for Tess to frost herself with diamonds that were sent. Yet, when Tess does put the jewels on Clare says, “The gown isn’t right.” The jewels do not fit Tess because she is a simple maiden. She will never really be quite perfect because of her past. The jewels reveal that something is not right with Tess and her union with Angel. Angel has Tess alter her dress so the neckline matches the cut of the necklace and only then does he say that she looks beautiful. Angel admires her as he says, “As everybody knows, fine feathers make fine birds.” Angel is changing Tess’ true identity by hiding her real self with these “feathers.” The jewels continue to reveal the uneasiness of Tess’ and Clare’s relationship. When Tess begins to tell her past to Angel concerning Alec the diamonds begin to change from something wonderful and beautiful to something “sinister.” For example, Hardy describes “ each diamond on (Tess’) neck as giv(ing )a sinister wink.”