Tess of the D'Urbervilles and the Return of the Native, by Thomas Hardy, identifies modern concepts of British culture from the late 18th century onwards. The tragic female heroines of the novels, Tess Durbeyfield and Eustacia Vye, redefine the culture of British society by challenging social constraints and values. Hardy demonstrates sexual power dynamics through the meaning of the female body and the body as identity. Furthermore, Tess and Eustacia desperately yearn for a freedom that seems completely unattainable. Tess wants the freedom to choose her own lover, but she knows she is a tragic product of her past. Likewise, Eustacia's obsession with leaving Egdon Heath depends solely on who or what will help her finally leave the land she so passionately despises. However, Hardy brilliantly establishes the idea that while both women may not have the freedom to make the decision they personally desire, they still have a choice. However, both Tess and Eustacia constantly make the wrong choices. In a society that condemns women's choices as they step outside of social boundaries, Hardy must maintain a sense of stylistic neutrality. He cannot defend or criticize Tess and Eustacia. Hardy weaves ambiguous scenes, dialogue, and imagery throughout both novels to illustrate the idea that human nature and destiny tend to be in conflict with each other. Furthermore, social and cultural restrictions make life difficult for those who do not “fit” the preset standards. Life is easier for those who are subservient to society's expectations. Hardy defines culture in terms of the rigidity of British social morality in relation to the disappearance of Tess and Eustacia as women who challenge oppressive constraints... at the center of the card... the role they play in society is not only are they questioned , but they also allow us to interpret the meaning of these roles in different societies and circumstances. Tess and Eustacia are confined to a point of rebellion. None of the women “fit” what society has prescribed for them. Tess stands out for her exquisitely charming beauty, and Eustacia is doomed for her seductive nature. Only those women who adhere to social standards seem to survive both metaphorically and literally. Perhaps Tess and Eustacia were destined to have a tragic end. Hardy leaves room for the reader to interpret what might have happened if he had attempted to change his path. However, what makes both novels so beautifully tragic is the ambiguity and uncertainty inherent in the idea that, although we may draw our own conclusions about Tess and Eustacia, we will never truly know..