Far from the Madding Crowd · Chapter
LV: The March Following; “Bathsheba Boldwood” explained
The chapter follows the aftermath of Boldwood's trial for killing Troy.
What happens
The chapter follows the aftermath of Boldwood's trial for killing Troy. The community petitions for clemency on grounds of insanity, and after anxious waiting, the sentence is commuted to life imprisonment. Meanwhile, a locked closet in Boldwood's home reveals a collection of gifts he had bought for Bathsheba, labeled with her name and future dates, evidencing his obsessive love and mental decline. Bathsheba remains in a fragile state, and Gabriel Oak continues to support her.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Madness
Boldwood's obsessive love for Bathsheba is laid bare through the discovery of his hidden gifts, labeled with her name and future dates, confirming his mental derangement.
Pride and Humility
The community's shift in perception of Boldwood—from a proud, aloof farmer to a pitiable figure—underscores the theme of humility in the face of tragedy.
Social Class and Ambition
The villagers' commentary on Boldwood's bypassing of local shops to import directly highlights tensions between provincial commerce and social ambition.
Characters to notice
- Gabriel Oak
Visits Boldwood in gaol to say goodbye, anxiously awaits news of the reprieve, and continues to care for Bathsheba.
- William Boldwood
Sentenced to death for killing Troy, but later reprieved to life imprisonment; his locked closet reveals obsessive gifts for Bathsheba.
- Bathsheba Everdene
Remains in a deeply depressed state, barely improved since Christmas, constantly asking for news of Boldwood's fate.
- Liddy Smallbury
Reports on Bathsheba's condition, noting her pitiable decline from a romping girl to a miserable woman.
- Jan Coggan
Among the villagers awaiting news; expresses hope and advises others to stay away from the trial to avoid disturbing Boldwood.
- Joseph Poorgrass
Observes the judge's arrival and comments on the proceedings with his characteristic philosophizing.
Key passages
“The conviction that Boldwood had not been morally responsible for his later acts now became general.”
People now widely believed that Boldwood was not morally accountable for his recent actions.
Reflects the community's growing acceptance of the insanity defense.
“It was astonishing, now that a presumption of insanity was raised, how many collateral circumstances were remembered to which a condition of mental disease seemed to afford the only explanation.”
Once insanity was suggested, many previously overlooked details suddenly seemed to point to mental illness as the only cause.
Highlights the retrospective reinterpretation of Boldwood's behavior.
“Her eyes are so miserable that she's not the same woman. Only two years ago she was a romping girl, and now she's this!”
Her eyes look so wretched that she is unrecognizable; just two years ago she was a lively girl, and now she is in this state.
Liddy's description of Bathsheba's dramatic decline.
“These somewhat pathetic evidences of a mind crazed with care and love were the subject of discourse in Warren’s malt-house.”
These sad proofs of a mind driven mad by worry and love were discussed at Warren's malt-house.
The discovery of Boldwood's gifts becomes a topic of village gossip.
