Just as the various facets of a diamond reflect light depending on the viewing perspective, so too human beings have multifaceted aspects of personality. Hardy's Victorian novel presents an interesting character study of Alec Stoke-d'Urberville, the lecherous rake who rapes his "cousin," converts into an ardent preacher, and tragically discovers his lack of worldly and religious faith. In Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Alec's personality and character undergo superficial transformations observable in his physical appearance, emotional temperament, and intellectual astuteness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Before Hardy brings Alec onto the set, he presents the Stoke-d'Urbervilles' false claim to the d'Urberville nobility, which Alec's father established after "fraud for an hour" (33). Alec's emergence from the "dark triangular" door of his tent suggests an ominous distortion of the Holy Trinity. Hardy's physical description of Alec paints a realistic embodiment of his physique and captures fleeting images of his character. Alec's "dark complexion," "poorly shaped" mouth, and barbaric traces portray a sinister figure (34). Despite these unattractive physical characteristics, Alec still possesses "full and smooth" lips and a "well-groomed" mustache (34). Likewise, Alec's character combines an evil side with a noble side, as demonstrated by his later concern for Tess's situation. Most evident in the windows of his soul, Alec does not restrain his carnal desires, but allows his “rolling eye” to courageously plumb Tess’ “fullness of growth,” further verifying a lack of moral constraints (37). Hardy subtly introduces Alec's temperamental traits through various interactions with the other characters. Upon Tess's arrival at Trantridge Cross, Alec immediately senses her confusion and plays the part of a kind and friendly relative, although his eyes betray a different interest. In the orchard, Alec stubbornly insists on his way. Although Tess wants to leave and eat the strawberries with her own hands, Alec forces her to stay and feeds her the fruits. His diction further exposes his depraved nature as he immediately calls Tess his “Beauty” (34) and his “pretty cousin” (36). His casual description of his mother as an "invalid" (34) reveals a flippant attitude towards the elderly. When Alec visits the Durbeyfields to request Tess's help in raising chickens, he constantly raises his hand to his moustache, arrogantly flaunting his diamond ring. The wild descent on horseback reflects his reckless conduct and vehement character. Car Darch's jealousy of Tess reveals Alec's capricious passions, which quickly move from one relationship to another. Overnight in Chaseborough, Alec persistently follows Tess even as she repeatedly rejects his offers to walk her home. In addition to his physical characteristics and determination, Alec's deceitful nature plays a major role in trapping Tess. When the Durbeyfields receive a letter from the blind Madame d'Urberville, Hardy delicately insinuates the rather "masculine" handwriting, revealing Alec's deceptive nature (42). After meeting Madame d'Urberville, Tess concludes that little love exists between the blind woman and her son, in which Hardy promptly rectifies that Madame d'Urberville loves her son "resentfully" and is "bitterly attached" to him ( 55), paradoxical feelings that Tess later expresses for her illegitimate son. Although Hardy repudiates the belief in the sins of the ancestors who visited.