Far from the Madding Crowd · Chapter
XXXI: Blame; Fury explained
Bathsheba attempts to avoid Boldwood after sending him a rejection letter, but they meet on the road.
What happens
Bathsheba attempts to avoid Boldwood after sending him a rejection letter, but they meet on the road. Boldwood passionately pleads with her, reminding her of her earlier encouragement, while Bathsheba insists she never promised him anything. She is tormented by the knowledge that Troy is returning to Weatherbury, fearing a violent confrontation between the two men.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Madness
Boldwood's obsessive love drives him to desperation, pleading for pity and revealing his emotional instability.
Deception and Honesty
Bathsheba's initial playful encouragement through the valentine is now seen as a deceptive act that led to unintended consequences.
Fate and Free Will
Bathsheba's choices and Boldwood's reactions highlight the tension between personal agency and the unforeseen outcomes of one's actions.
Characters to notice
- Bathsheba Everdene
Struggles with guilt and fear after rejecting Boldwood, anxiously anticipating Troy's return.
- William Boldwood
Devastated by Bathsheba's rejection, he pleads with her and reveals the depth of his obsession.
- Frank Troy
Mentioned as returning to Weatherbury, causing Bathsheba's dread of conflict with Boldwood.
- Gabriel Oak
Left instructions by Bathsheba to secure the farm for the night.
- Liddy Smallbury
Bathsheba visits her sister, having granted Liddy a week's holiday as a reconciliation gesture.
Key passages
“There is little honour to the woman in that speech.”
Bathsheba tells Boldwood that his plea for pity diminishes her dignity.
Bathsheba asserts her self-respect even while feeling compassion for Boldwood.
“I am beyond myself about this, and am mad.”
Boldwood admits he is not in control of his emotions and is acting irrationally.
Boldwood acknowledges his obsessive state, linking to the theme of madness.
“What you call encouragement was the childish game of an idle minute.”
Bathsheba dismisses her earlier flirtation as a trivial, thoughtless act.
She regrets the valentine and insists it was never meant to be serious.
“How nearly you promised me!”
Boldwood recalls that Bathsheba came close to agreeing to marry him.
He clings to the memory of her ambiguous words as a broken promise.