Tess of the D'Urbervilles
2 reasons for why its difficult for tess to reject alec outright with supporting quotes
phase 2
phase 2
The fact that he rapes her first puts pressure for her to marry him.
"And yet th'st not got him to marry 'ee!" reiterated her mother. "Any woman would have done it but you!"
Alec is simply the son of the wealthy Simon Stokes. He offers money and stability.