# XIII: Sortes Sanctorum; The Valentine explained — Far from the Madding Crowd

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

## What happens

On a Sunday afternoon in February, Bathsheba and Liddy engage in a divination ritual using a Bible and key to predict marriage. Bathsheba then decides to send a valentine, initially intended for little Teddy Coggan, but after a coin toss with a hymn-book, she addresses it to the aloof and dignified Farmer Boldwood, sealing it with a 'Marry Me' stamp. The chapter highlights Bathsheba's impulsive and playful nature, as well as her growing awareness of Boldwood's indifference.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Free Will

Bathsheba's use of divination and a coin toss to decide the valentine's recipient illustrates the tension between superstition (fate) and her own whimsical choices (free will).

### Deception and Honesty

The anonymous valentine sent to Boldwood is a playful deception, foreshadowing the misunderstandings and emotional consequences that follow.

## Character check-ins

### Bathsheba Everdene

Engages in superstitious divination and impulsively sends a valentine to Mr. Boldwood, reflecting her capricious and independent spirit.

### Liddy Smallbury

Bathsheba's companion who suggests the valentine prank and encourages the divination, showing her playful and somewhat mischievous nature.

### William Boldwood

Mentioned as the object of Bathsheba's valentine; his aloofness in church piques her interest and leads to the impulsive gesture.

### Teddy Coggan

Originally intended recipient of the valentine, but Bathsheba changes her mind after a coin toss.

## Key lines

> Of love as a spectacle Bathsheba had a fair knowledge; but of love subjectively she knew nothing.

Bathsheba understood love as an observer, but had no personal experience of it.

_Highlights Bathsheba's naivety and emotional immaturity regarding romantic feelings._

> So very idly and unreflectingly was this deed done.

The valentine was sent without any serious thought or consideration.

_Emphasizes the impulsive and thoughtless nature of Bathsheba's action, which sets off a chain of events._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xiii-sortes-sanctorum-the-valentine
- 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