# LIII: Concurritur; Horae Momento explained — Far from the Madding Crowd

> Chapter companion for Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

## What happens

At Boldwood's Christmas party, the tension escalates as rumors of Sergeant Troy's return spread among the workfolk. Boldwood, oblivious to the news, pressures Bathsheba into a reluctant engagement, slipping a ring on her finger despite her distress. Outside, the men debate whether to warn her, while Troy's face is seen peering through a window, foreshadowing disaster.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Madness

Boldwood's desperate plea for a six-year engagement and his fixation on Bathsheba highlight his obsessive love, bordering on irrationality.

### Deception and Honesty

The men debate whether to reveal Troy's return, weighing the harm of truth against the danger of concealment, while Bathsheba is kept in the dark.

### Fate and Free Will

Bathsheba's reluctant promise to Boldwood and the looming return of Troy suggest a collision of choices and unforeseen circumstances.

## Character check-ins

### Bathsheba Everdene

Pressured by Boldwood into a six-year engagement, she reluctantly accepts a ring while weeping and expressing doubt about Troy's death.

### William Boldwood

In a state of intense emotion, he extracts a promise of marriage from Bathsheba and slips a ring on her finger, unaware of the rumors about Troy.

### Frank Troy

Reported seen in Casterbridge; his face is later observed peering into the malt-house window, confirming his return.

### Gabriel Oak

Mentioned as being in the malt-house, conversing with the maltster about Boldwood's infatuation with Bathsheba.

### Laban Tall

Reluctantly agrees to inform Bathsheba of Troy's return, after the group discusses the news outside Boldwood's house.

### Sam Samway

Urges the others to act on the news of Troy's return, insisting it is everyone's business to warn Bathsheba.

## Key lines

> Say the words, dear one, and the subject shall be dismissed; a blissful loving intimacy of six years, and then marriage—O Bathsheba, say them!

Boldwood begs Bathsheba to agree to a six-year courtship followed by marriage, promising to drop the matter if she does.

_Boldwood's intense pleading reveals his desperation and the pressure he puts on Bathsheba._

> Very well. I’ll marry you in six years from this day, if we both live,” she said solemnly.

Bathsheba reluctantly agrees to marry Boldwood in six years, speaking with a grave tone.

_This marks the beginning of a coerced engagement, setting the stage for future conflict._

> I wish we had told of the report at once,” the first uneasily continued. “More harm may come of this than we know of.

One of the workmen regrets not immediately sharing the news of Troy's return, fearing the consequences.

_The men's hesitation to act underscores the theme of deception and the impending danger._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/liii-concurritur-horae-momento
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters