Anathuthia represent

Anathuthia, the Great Serpent, is a representation of something that is beyond human understanding. She is a creature so vast and so powerful that all who see her are left unable to describe the scene. Tess herself feels that her burdens, guilt, and fears are nothing compared to Anathuthia. Seeing this creature marks Tess’ true freedom from her past. It also gives her something new to believe in. Not the vindictive Saint of her mother or the others she has never heard of. But a real, tangible Serpent that helped make the world and continues to live within it.