Far from the Madding Crowd · Chapter
Home Again; A Trickster explained
Bathsheba returns home from Bath with Liddy, and Gabriel Oak is relieved to see her safe.
What happens
Bathsheba returns home from Bath with Liddy, and Gabriel Oak is relieved to see her safe. Boldwood, seeking forgiveness for his earlier outburst, is denied entry to her home. Later, he encounters Sergeant Troy, who has just arrived from Bath. Boldwood, in a desperate attempt to secure Bathsheba's happiness, offers Troy money to marry her instead of Fanny Robin. Troy manipulates the situation, accepting fifty pounds and agreeing to a plan, but then meets Bathsheba in secret, revealing his continued deception.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Honesty
Troy deceives both Boldwood and Bathsheba, pretending to agree to one plan while secretly meeting her.
Obsession and Madness
Boldwood's obsessive love drives him to bribe Troy and act irrationally, bordering on madness.
Love and Marriage
The chapter explores marriage as a transactional arrangement, with Boldwood offering money to secure Bathsheba's union with Troy.
Characters to notice
- Gabriel Oak
Observes Bathsheba's return and later encounters Boldwood.
- Bathsheba Everdene
Returns from Bath, weary, and later meets Troy secretly at night.
- Liddy Smallbury
Accompanies Bathsheba home and later is sent away to allow Troy's visit.
- William Boldwood
Seeks forgiveness from Bathsheba, is refused, then negotiates with Troy to marry her.
- Frank Troy
Arrives from Bath, manipulates Boldwood, and secretly meets Bathsheba.
Key passages
“The exquisite relief of finding that she was here again, safe and sound, overpowered all reflection, and Oak could only luxuriate in the sense of it.”
Gabriel felt an overwhelming relief at seeing Bathsheba return safely, and he simply enjoyed the feeling without thinking further.
Highlights Gabriel's quiet devotion and relief.
“Boldwood augured ill from that sign.”
Boldwood interpreted the drawing of the blind as a bad omen.
Shows Boldwood's growing anxiety and sense of rejection.
“I can’t, however, marry them both. And I have two reasons for choosing Fanny. First, I like her best upon the whole, and second, you make it worth my while.”
Troy admits he cannot marry both women and chooses Fanny because he prefers her and because Boldwood is paying him.
Reveals Troy's mercenary and manipulative nature.