1、【导读】德伯家的苔丝是英国作家托马斯哈代最优秀的长篇小说。女主人公苔丝生于贫苦家庭，进入社会后又屡遭不幸，最后因杀死恶人而被处绞刑。德伯家的苔丝是一部悲剧作品。Tess of the Durbervilles(excerpt)He looked a little disturbed and worn，she thought.But he said not a word to her about her revelation，even when they were alone.Could he have had it？Unless he began the subject she felt th
2、at she could say nothing.So the day passed，and it was evident that whatever he thought he meant to keep to himself.Yet he was frank and affectionate as before.Could it be that her doubts were childish？That he forgave her；that he loved her for what she was，just as she was，and smiled at her disquiet a
3、s at a foolish nightmare？Had he really received her note？She glanced into his room，and could see nothing of it.It might be that he forgave her.But even if he had not received it she had a sudden enthusiastic trust that he surely would forgive her.Every morning and night he was the same，and thus New
4、Years Eve brokethe weddingday.The lovers did not rise at milkingtime，having through the whole of this last week of their sojourn at the dairy been accorded something of the position of guests，Tess being honoured with a room of her own.When they arrived downstairs at breakfasttime they were surprised
5、 to see what effects had been produced in the large kitchen for their glory since they had last beheld it.At some unnatural hour of the morning the dairyman had caused the yawning chimneycorner to be whitened，and the brick hearth reddened，and a blazing yellow damask blower to be hung across the arch
6、 in place of the old grimy blue cotton one with a black sprig pattern which had formerly done duty here.This renovated aspect of what was the focus indeed of the room on a dull winter morning，threw a smiling demeanour over the whole apartment.德伯家的苔丝(节选)她在心里头想，他有点儿心神不安，也有点儿疲倦。不过对于她坦诚相告的事情，他一个字也没有提起，即
7、使他们单独在一起的时候也没有提起。他是不是收到了信？除非是他开始了这个话题，否则她自己只能闭口不提。这一天就这样过去了，很明显，他无论是怎样想的，他是不想让别人知道的。不过，他还是像从前一样坦率，一样地爱她。是不是她的怀疑太孩子气了？是不是他已经原谅了她？是不是他爱她爱的就是她本来这个人？他的微笑是不是在笑她让傻里傻气的恶梦闹得心神不安？他真的收到了她写给他的信吗？她在他的房间里瞧了一眼，但是什么也没有看见。可能他已经原谅她了。不过即使他没有收到她写的信，她也对他突然产生了一种强烈的信任，相信他肯定会原谅她的。每天早晨和每天晚上，他还是同从前一样，于是除夕那一天来到了，那天是他们结婚的日子。这
8、一对情人不用在挤牛奶的时间里起早床了，在他们住在奶牛场的最后一个礼拜里，他们的身份有点儿像客人的身份了，苔丝也受到优待，自己拥有了一个房间。吃早饭时他们一下楼，就惊奇地看见那间大餐厅因为他们的婚事已经发生了变化。在早晨天还没有亮的时候，奶牛场老板就吩咐人把那个大张着口的壁扇的炉角粉刷白了，砖面也刷洗得变红了，在壁炉上方的圆拱上，从前挂的是带黑条纹图案的又旧又脏的蓝棉布帘子，现在换上了光彩夺目的黄色花缎。在冬季阴沉的早晨，房间里最引人注目的壁炉现在焕然一新，给整个房间平添了一种喜庆的色彩。知识积累1revelation n揭发，披露2affectionate adj. 表示关爱的3disquie
9、t n. 担心，不安4enthusiastic adj. 热情的；热心的5demeanour n. 举止；风度文化链接19世纪后期的时候，英国经过工业革命的飞速发展已成为世界头号工业大国。工业的发展侵蚀了英国传统农业社会的宗法秩序，打乱了农民长期在乡村田园环境中所形成的种种生活方式和习惯。很多淳朴憨厚的农民在此时遭遇了阵痛，他们不得不从自给自足的经济状态转向受雇于人、被人剥削的农业工人。19世纪末维多利亚时期小说家托马斯哈代作为这一时期各种变化的目击者和见证人，他的内心充满矛盾，一方面他对乡村的旧生活方式和田园风光有深厚的怀旧与依恋之情，因而在感情上厌恶铁路伸向农村，也厌恶机器取代手工劳动。德伯家的苔丝便是在这一背景下产生的作品。