Jack Durbeyfield

Jack Durbeyfield (Sir John d'Urberville) — Tess's father, a carter in Marlott (based on the Dorset village of Marnhull) who is a lazy alcoholic. When he learns that his family is descended from nobility, he works less and less and starts pretending that he is an aristocrat. / Tess’s father, a lazy peddler in Marlott. John is naturally quick, but he hates work. When he learns that he descends from the noble line of the d’Urbervilles, he is quick to make an attempt to profit from the connection.


He takes great pride in his name, although it never brings him anything of value.
“well fred, I don’t mind telling you that the secret is that I’m one of a noble race- it had been just discovered by me this present afternoon.”