The contrast between the Derbeyfields and
the Clares is rather stark though there is surprisingly one similarity
between them. The similarity is that both John (Jack) Derbeyfield and Vicar Clare are
men who are proud of their background and lineage. Jack didn't have much reason for his
pride until Parson Tringham told him of the newly discovered connection to the ancient
house of the Norman nobles, the d'Urbervilles, yet once that was known Jack's
Derbeyfield pride of family matched Vicar Clare's.
"Sir John d'Urberville—that's who I am,"
continued the [reclining] man. "That is if knights were baronets—which they be. 'Tis
recorded in history all about me."
The above points out the
occupational contrast between the Derbeyfields and the Clares. Vicar Clare is a highly
educated clergyman as are two of his sons. His third son, Angel, disappointed him by not
following in the expectations of the family. Jack Derbeyfield is an undereducated
"haggler" who sells eggs and bees in the small village of Marlott. His eldest daughter,
Tess, has similarly disappointed him by not following in the family expectation by not
securing the patronage of the new d'Urberville family and by coming home to have a baby
without accepting an offer of marriage from the child's
father.
"I
have never really and truly loved you, and I think I never can." [Tess] added
mournfully, "Perhaps, of all things, a lie on this thing would do the most good to me
now; but I have honour enough left, little as 'tis, not to tell that lie."
In their deeper backgrounds,
the Derbeyfields are descended of French Catholic nobility while the Clares are
descended from English Puritan (Protestant) gentry and clergy. This makes the
Derbeyfield ancestry of a higher rank than the Clare ancestry, though at the time of the
story, the Clare's are higher in social rank. Another thing the families share in common
is their willingness to be accepting, forgiving and loving, though Vicar Clare seems to
have a few more limiting restrictions and qualifications attached to what he will
accept, forgive and love.
The fathers of both families set
the overall tones of what the families are like though Mrs. Derbeyfield has more
influence in her family than Mrs. Clare seems to have in hers.
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