# XXXI: Blame; Fury explained — Far from the Madding Crowd

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxi-blame-fury
- 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