But Tess was much more right than Angel. He should have forgiven her as she had forgiven him. Because he did not, the story of Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy is tragic and poignantly sad. After his relationship with Tess is shattered, Angel finally realizes how awfully he has behaved, and he descends into deep and life-threatening despair. The book ends with Tess being executed for murdering the man who fathered her illegitimate child.
Forgiveness is important, important in real life.
The person not forgiven bears the pain of a wounded or broken relationship. That is painful, very painful. Because that person cannot allow himself or herself to become so much like Jesus that they feel compelled to forgive. Unforgiving persons have to find ways to justify their refusal to forgive. Every barrier they put up, every rationale they compose to justify their attitude stands in the way of the loving Spirit of Christ Jesus.