# XVII: In the Market-Place explained — Far from the Madding Crowd

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

## What happens

Boldwood, in Casterbridge market, sees Bathsheba and becomes deeply infatuated, scrutinizing her beauty and feeling jealousy as she casually interacts with a young farmer. Bathsheba, aware of his gaze, regrets her earlier flirtatious prank and considers apologizing, but fears misinterpretation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Madness

Boldwood's sudden, intense infatuation with Bathsheba marks the beginning of his obsessive fixation, which will drive much of the plot.

### Deception and Honesty

Bathsheba's prank and her subsequent regret highlight the tension between playful deception and the desire for honest interaction.

## Character check-ins

### William Boldwood

Boldwood, for the first time, truly looks at Bathsheba and becomes infatuated, experiencing jealousy and the 'injured lover's hell.'

### Bathsheba Everdene

Bathsheba is aware of Boldwood's attention and regrets her earlier prank, considering an apology but fearing misinterpretation.

### Liddy Smallbury

Liddy is mentioned as co-instigator of the prank that led to Boldwood's infatuation.

## Key lines

> Adam had awakened from his deep sleep, and behold! there was Eve.

Boldwood, like Adam waking to find Eve, suddenly becomes aware of Bathsheba as a romantic figure.

_Biblical allusion emphasizing Boldwood's awakening desire._

> He trod for the first time the threshold of 'the injured lover's hell.'

Boldwood experiences jealousy for the first time, entering a state of emotional torment.

_Highlights the onset of Boldwood's obsessive jealousy._

> She valued it only as she valued an artificial flower or a wax fruit.

Bathsheba regards her triumph over Boldwood as hollow and artificial.

_Shows Bathsheba's regret and self-awareness about her actions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xvii-in-the-market-place
- 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