In Thomas Hardy's novel "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," John Durbeyfield is Tess's father. He is a cheerful but lazy and irresponsible man. When he learns from Parson Tringham that he is descended from the noble D'Urberville family, he becomes proud and dreams of being rich and important, even though his family is poor.
John starts to act like he is above his real social status, spending money on unnecessary things and neglecting his family's needs. This behavior shows the contrast between his fantasies and the harsh realities of their rural life. It highlights the novel's themes of social class and the false allure of nobility.
One of John's most significant decisions is sending Tess to the wealthy Stoke-D'Urbervilles to seek help, hoping they will benefit from the family connection. This decision, driven by his pride and desire for money, leads Tess to meet Alec D'Urberville. Alec takes advantage of Tess, leading to her suffering and many of her later troubles.
John Durbeyfield's character criticizes the Victorian obsession with social status and ancestry. His belief in his noble lineage, despite his poor circumstances, underscores the novel's exploration of the arbitrary and often illusory nature of social hierarchies. His actions significantly impact Tess's life, making him a flawed but important character in the story.