Far from the Madding Crowd · Chapter
The Gurgoyle: Its Doings explained
After the storm, Bathsheba learns of Troy's departure and visits Fanny's grave, where she finds Gabriel Oak.
What happens
After the storm, Bathsheba learns of Troy's departure and visits Fanny's grave, where she finds Gabriel Oak. She discovers that Troy erected the tombstone for Fanny. Meanwhile, Troy, having spent the night in the churchyard, awakens to find that the rain has washed away the flowers he planted on Fanny's grave. This final blow leads him to hate himself and leave Weatherbury.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Madness
Troy's obsessive planting of flowers on Fanny's grave and his subsequent despair when they are destroyed illustrate his mental turmoil and self-loathing.
Deception and Honesty
Bathsheba's discovery of Troy's secret tombstone for Fanny reveals his hidden guilt and the deception in their marriage.
Fate and Free Will
Troy's belief that Providence has abandoned him and the 'accident' of the rain destroying his efforts highlight the tension between fate and personal agency.
Characters to notice
- Bathsheba Everdene
Visits Fanny's grave, discovers Troy's tombstone, and directs Gabriel to fix the gurgoyle.
- Gabriel Oak
Found at the churchyard observing the tomb; helps Bathsheba by filling the hole and later reports the strange noise from the churchyard.
- Frank Troy
Spends the night in the churchyard, plants flowers on Fanny's grave, but after the rain destroys them, he despairs and leaves Weatherbury.
- Fanny Robin
Her grave is the central focus; Troy's tombstone and flowers are for her.
- Liddy Smallbury
Informs Bathsheba about Troy's departure and the strange noise from the churchyard.
Key passages
“The flowers so carefully planted by Fanny’s repentant lover began to move and writhe in their bed. The winter-violets turned slowly upside down, and became a mere mat of mud.”
The flowers Troy had lovingly placed on Fanny's grave were uprooted and destroyed by the heavy rain, turning into mud.
This event symbolizes the destruction of Troy's attempt at repentance and his final breaking point.
“This very morning the illusion completed its disappearance, and, as it were, all of a sudden, Troy hated himself.”
Troy's self-deception ended abruptly, and he was overcome with self-hatred.
This marks a turning point in Troy's character, leading to his departure from Weatherbury.
“She wiped the mud spots from the tomb as if she rather liked its words than otherwise, and went again home.”
Bathsheba cleaned the tombstone, appearing to accept the inscription honoring Fanny, before returning home.
Bathsheba's magnanimous act shows her complex emotions and her attempt to move past jealousy.