which is demonstrated by the fact that her mother often consults the Compleat Fortune-Teller, an old book of astrological guidance. Tess, however, has been educated, and thus does not subscribe to the same beliefs that her mother does. She believes that man has free will, while her mother, "awith her fast-perishing lumber of superstitions" (Hardy 18), sees the hand of fate controlling their lives. There is irony in Tess's attitude, as she is the victim of fate repeatedly throughout the novel despite her belief in free will (Page 111).
In many ways, Tess's fate is sealed when she falls asleep while driving the wagon and accidentally kills the family horse, Prince. She immediately takes the blame upon herself, but her brother Abraham wonders, "'Tis because we be on a blighted star, and not a sound one, isn't it, Tess?" (Hardy 28). He suspects fate's role in the tragic event, but Tess is not at all convinced. Though she cannot see it at the time, the death of Prince sets a chain of events into motion that changes the course of Tess's life (Brady 94). Thus, Hardy demonstrates throughout the rest of the novel that fate overrules free will, p
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