Original Text(~250 words)
XXXVII Midnight came and passed silently, for there was nothing to announce it in the Valley of the Froom. Not long after one o’clock there was a slight creak in the darkened farmhouse once the mansion of the d’Urbervilles. Tess, who used the upper chamber, heard it and awoke. It had come from the corner step of the staircase, which, as usual, was loosely nailed. She saw the door of her bedroom open, and the figure of her husband crossed the stream of moonlight with a curiously careful tread. He was in his shirt and trousers only, and her first flush of joy died when she perceived that his eyes were fixed in an unnatural stare on vacancy. When he reached the middle of the room he stood still and murmured in tones of indescribable sadness— “Dead! dead! dead!” Under the influence of any strongly-disturbing force, Clare would occasionally walk in his sleep, and even perform strange feats, such as he had done on the night of their return from market just before their marriage, when he re-enacted in his bedroom his combat with the man who had insulted her. Tess saw that continued mental distress had wrought him into that somnambulistic state now. Her loyal confidence in him lay so deep down in her heart, that, awake or asleep, he inspired her with no sort of personal fear. If he had entered with a pistol in his hand he would scarcely have disturbed her trust in his protectiveness. Clare...
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Summary
In one of literature's most haunting scenes, Angel Clare sleepwalks and carries Tess in his arms, treating her as if she were dead. In his unconscious state, he whispers the tender words he withholds when awake, calling her his 'dearest, darling Tess.' He carries her across a dangerous river bridge to an old abbey, where he lays her in a stone coffin and falls asleep beside her. Tess, awake throughout this terrifying yet tender experience, chooses not to resist—even when she thinks he might drown them both. She guides the sleeping Angel safely home, then tends to him without waking him. The next morning, Angel remembers nothing of his nighttime revelation of love. He proceeds with their separation as planned, giving Tess money and arranging for her return to her family. They part at a crossroads, with Angel setting strict conditions: she must not seek him out, though he may return if he can 'bear it.' This chapter exposes the tragic irony at the heart of their relationship—Angel's unconscious mind reveals his true love for Tess, while his conscious mind rejects her. Tess's passive acceptance of both his tenderness and cruelty shows how completely she has surrendered her agency. The sleepwalking scene becomes a metaphor for their entire relationship: Angel loves an idealized, 'dead' version of Tess while rejecting the living, breathing woman. Hardy uses this supernatural-seeming episode to show how societal conditioning can override natural human feeling, and how pride and shame can destroy what the heart most desires.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Somnambulism
Sleepwalking - when someone walks and performs actions while asleep, often revealing their unconscious thoughts and feelings. In Hardy's time, this was seen as a window into the true self, stripped of social conditioning.
Modern Usage:
We still see this in people who say things when drunk or stressed that they'd never admit when fully conscious.
Victorian Marriage Laws
Once married, a woman became her husband's legal property with no rights to divorce or separate. A husband could abandon his wife but she had no legal recourse or ability to support herself independently.
Modern Usage:
Today we see echoes in relationships where one person holds all the financial power or makes unilateral decisions about the family's future.
Social Purity Movement
A Victorian moral crusade that demanded women be sexually pure while ignoring men's behavior. It created impossible standards that destroyed women who failed to meet them, regardless of circumstances.
Modern Usage:
We still see double standards around sexual behavior and victim-blaming in cases of assault or harassment.
Class Consciousness
The constant awareness of social rank that governed Victorian behavior. Angel's middle-class values make him reject Tess despite loving her, showing how class prejudice can override personal feeling.
Modern Usage:
Today this shows up in relationships where families disapprove of partners based on education, income, or background.
Passive Resistance
Tess's strategy of enduring rather than fighting back, common among powerless people. She doesn't resist Angel's sleepwalking because she has no other options for survival.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who stay quiet about workplace abuse or family dysfunction because speaking up feels too risky.
Psychological Projection
Angel projects his own shame and moral failings onto Tess, making her carry the burden of his disappointment. His unconscious mind reveals his true feelings while his conscious mind punishes her.
Modern Usage:
This happens when someone blames their partner for problems they actually created themselves, or when people attack others for traits they secretly hate in themselves.
Characters in This Chapter
Angel Clare
Conflicted husband
His sleepwalking reveals the tragic split between his unconscious love for Tess and his conscious rejection of her. He carries her tenderly while asleep but abandons her when awake, showing how social conditioning has poisoned his natural feelings.
Modern Equivalent:
The partner who says they love you but can't get past your history
Tess Durbeyfield
Suffering protagonist
She remains passive during Angel's sleepwalking episode, even when in mortal danger, showing how completely she's internalized her powerlessness. Her acceptance of both his unconscious tenderness and conscious cruelty reveals her total surrender of agency.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who stays in a toxic relationship because they believe they deserve the treatment
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone's unconscious actions reveal feelings their conscious mind won't acknowledge.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when people show you one version of themselves in private or vulnerable moments, then switch to a different version in public or when their guard is up.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Dead! dead! dead!"
Context: Angel speaks these words while sleepwalking, looking at Tess
This reveals Angel's unconscious wish that Tess were dead rather than 'fallen' - he could love a pure memory but can't accept the living, complex woman. His sleep strips away social pretense to show his true feelings.
In Today's Words:
I wish you had died before this happened to you
"My dearest, darling Tess! So sweet, so good, so true!"
Context: Angel whispers this tenderly while carrying the sleeping Tess in his arms
Only in sleep can Angel express his genuine love for Tess. His unconscious mind reveals what his waking prejudices won't allow him to feel, making this both the most loving and most tragic moment in their relationship.
In Today's Words:
You're everything I want, but I can't admit it when I'm awake
"She had no fear of him physically. If he had been holding a pistol he would scarcely have disturbed her trust in his protectiveness."
Context: Describing Tess's reaction as Angel sleepwalks toward her
This shows how completely Tess has surrendered her self-preservation instincts. Her trust in Angel is so absolute that she can't recognize danger even when he's literally treating her as if she were dead.
In Today's Words:
She trusted him so completely she couldn't see the red flags
"You must not seek me out. But I may come to you if I can bear it."
Context: Angel's parting words to Tess as he abandons her
Angel gives himself all the power in their relationship's future while stripping Tess of any agency. He'll decide if and when to return based on his feelings alone, treating her like an object to be retrieved when convenient.
In Today's Words:
Don't contact me, but I might come back if I feel like it
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Unconscious Truth
People express their deepest truths only when defenses are down, while maintaining destructive pretenses in conscious moments.
Thematic Threads
Love
In This Chapter
Angel's unconscious mind reveals complete love for Tess while his conscious mind rejects her
Development
Evolved from initial attraction to this tragic split between felt love and expressed rejection
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when someone shows care during crisis but withdraws affection during normal times
Pride
In This Chapter
Angel's wounded pride overrides his natural feelings, creating the sleepwalking metaphor for their relationship
Development
Intensified from earlier class consciousness to destructive personal pride that destroys what he values most
In Your Life:
You see this when your ego prevents you from admitting you were wrong or expressing vulnerability
Identity
In This Chapter
Angel loves an idealized 'dead' version of Tess while rejecting the living woman
Development
Crystallized from his earlier idealization into complete separation of fantasy from reality
In Your Life:
This appears when you love the idea of someone more than who they actually are
Agency
In This Chapter
Tess passively accepts both Angel's unconscious tenderness and conscious cruelty
Development
Reached complete surrender of self-determination, accepting whatever treatment she receives
In Your Life:
You might recognize this pattern when you accept mixed messages instead of demanding consistency
Social Conditioning
In This Chapter
Societal expectations override natural human feeling, creating the split between Angel's authentic and performed selves
Development
Reached its most destructive form, completely overriding individual emotion and connection
In Your Life:
This shows up when you act against your instincts to meet others' expectations or maintain your reputation
Modern Adaptation
When Love Shows Up at the Wrong Time
Following Teresa's story...
After their explosive fight about her past, Marcus has been sleeping on the couch for three nights, barely speaking to Teresa except to arrange who picks up groceries. Tonight, she wakes to find him standing by her bed, eyes unfocused, reaching for her. 'My beautiful girl,' he whispers, gathering her into his arms with impossible tenderness. 'I'm so sorry. I love you so much.' Still half-asleep, he carries her to the living room, holding her like she's precious, whispering apologies and promises. For twenty minutes, she experiences the love she's been desperate to hear. Then he blinks awake, sees her in his arms, and his face hardens. 'What are you doing here?' The next morning, he acts like nothing happened. He hands her half the security deposit and says he's staying with his brother until he 'figures things out.' The man who whispered 'I can't live without you' twelve hours ago now can't meet her eyes. Teresa realizes with devastating clarity: he loves her when his defenses are down, but his pride won't let him love her when he's awake.
The Road
The road Angel Clare walked in 1891, Teresa walks today. The pattern is identical: people often reveal their deepest truths only when their conscious defenses are disabled, while maintaining destructive pretenses when fully awake.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for reading the gap between unconscious truth and conscious performance. Teresa can now distinguish between someone's defended self and their authentic feelings.
Amplification
Before reading this, Teresa might have dismissed Marcus's midnight tenderness as meaningless or blamed herself for his morning coldness. Now she can NAME the split between his authentic and defended selves, PREDICT that his true feelings will only emerge in unguarded moments, and NAVIGATE by not accepting crumbs of affection while being starved of real commitment.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Angel reveal about his true feelings during the sleepwalking episode that he won't admit when awake?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Angel's unconscious mind express love while his conscious mind maintains rejection? What's driving this split?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today expressing their real feelings only when their guard is down - during illness, stress, or when they think no one is listening?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle a relationship where someone shows love only in 'safe' moments but maintains distance when it counts?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter teach us about the difference between our authentic selves and our defended selves in relationships?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Defended vs. Authentic Expression
Think about your closest relationships. List three things you feel or appreciate about these people that you express only in 'safe' moments - when they're sick, when you're alone, or when your guard is down. Then identify what stops you from expressing these feelings when it would matter most to them.
Consider:
- •Notice if pride, fear of seeming 'soft,' or past hurts create barriers to authentic expression
- •Consider how social expectations or family patterns might influence when you feel safe being vulnerable
- •Pay attention to whether you're waiting for the 'perfect moment' that may never come
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone revealed their true feelings to you only when they thought it was 'safe.' How did it feel to glimpse their authentic self? What would change if people expressed appreciation and love in daylight instead of hiding it until crisis or darkness?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 38: Coming Home to Lies and Shame
What lies ahead teaches us family expectations can trap you in deception, and shows us protecting others' feelings sometimes requires painful honesty. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.