Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Tess comes from a poor family. They think her name may be related to a wealthy guy in town, so she goes and seeks him out. He ends up being smitten with her. He admits they are not related, but does become romantically interested. There is lovemaking and pregnancy, but no marriage. Later while working, she does find a guy to marry. After confessing her idescration, he gets a bit upset with her and skedaddles. First guy comes back, and want her, but she says she has been married. Things get crazy with a few deaths at the end. It is a tragic tale that shows some Victorian treatment of women and the poor. I cannot seem to get into Hardy as much as I did back in high school.
Hedda Gabler married someone a man in hopes of a well-to-do future. They discover that there financial future is not as good as optimistic as hoped. She meets up with an old friend that has left her husband. Later she ends up involved with another man and some manuscripts. A few people die by gun shot (including self-inflicted) and it ends miserably ever after.