how does thomas hardy use "hegemonic masculinity" in the story?

I had to think about "hegemonic" for a minute. I'll have to use that at my next party, it sounds intelligent. As to your query I think there are two men connected with Tess in a Romantic sense. Both Angel an Alec are similar in that they see Tess through a masculine lens rather than what she truly is.They both have an idealized view of Tess. She is beautiful, feminine and she intimidates both of them. Angel responds to this intimidation by worshipping her but, when he can finally claim her, leaves her over her past. In that sense Angel's love was part of the masculine illusion of chaste perfectness. Alec responded to his affections in a different way, he raped her. Alec, however, had the same illusion of Chaste perfection but felt he needed to destroy it rather than chase it. In the end I don't think either really understood who Tess was.