Letter from Emily Anita Pass to Thomas Hardy, 3 December 1927

I have recently read "Tess of the d'Urbervilles", and feel I would like you to know how much it has meant to me. I am twenty years old, and am sympathetic with 'Tess', the more so because some of my own experiences in life have been not unlike hers. The book is more personal to me than any book I have ever read or I think any that I shall ever read. I loved the portrayal of 'Tess', and the intricate ^workings^ of her beautiful soul. I wonder at your complete understanding of a woman's soul [Page 2] [Page 3] such as hers. So often in books I have read, I find the heroines, even when fine characters, have unfortunate lives; such as "Anna Karénina", "Renèe Mauperin", and the unhappy heroine of "Une Vie", to mention only some. Why is it that so sensitive and good a nature as 'Tess', and deserving of so much happiness, should have such an unhappy life and end?

With appreciation and many thanks,

Sincerely yours,

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