What does Will represent?

Will represents the words of men, and shows Tess that there are people like her mother claimed. He is cruel, mocking, and bound by his own desire to show off to others. Furthermore, the reveal that Will raped Tess, and that she did not willingly sleep with him as others believe, provides credence to the idea that Tess should not feel guilty over what happened. While he is the stereotypical, desire driven male that her mother warned her about, his memory eventually shows Tess that there are also good men in the world. Those who are willing to love and accept their partners instead of abuse them. By accepting Will’s actions and putting the blame on him instead of herself, Tess is able to move on.