Yes, it can be considered a sensation novel to some extent. It contains elements that were typical of the genre, such as dramatic plot twists and moral dilemmas.
Tess Durbeyfield is the main protagonist. She is a victim of her circumstances and society. Alec d'Urberville, he is the villain in a way. He rapes Tess and sets off a chain of tragic events. Angel Clare, he is Tess's lover. He is a complex character with his own set of beliefs and values. His inability to fully accept Tess for who she is plays a crucial part in the story. There are also other minor characters like Tess's father who add to the background and the family situation.
The main themes include the harshness of Victorian society. Tess is judged harshly for her past, which was not really her fault. Love is also a theme, as Tess experiences different forms of love, from the innocent love she has at the beginning to the more complex and tragic love later. Class differences are prominent too. Her family's lower - class status leads to many of her problems.