Far from the Madding Crowd · Chapter
XXXVIII: Rain; One Solitary Meets Another explained
In the early morning, Gabriel Oak works desperately to protect the barley ricks from a heavy rainstorm, reflecting on his past efforts against fire for the same woman.
What happens
In the early morning, Gabriel Oak works desperately to protect the barley ricks from a heavy rainstorm, reflecting on his past efforts against fire for the same woman. After finishing, he sees Troy and his men returning from the barn, indifferent to the ricks. Later, Oak meets Boldwood on the lane, who admits he neglected to cover his own ricks, revealing his deep grief over Bathsheba's marriage and his sense of abandonment by God.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Madness
Boldwood's confession reveals his obsessive grief over Bathsheba, leading him to neglect his farm and express a desire for death.
Fate and Free Will
Oak reflects on the irony of fighting both fire and water for the same woman, while Boldwood feels abandoned by fate and God.
Social Class and Ambition
The contrast between Oak's diligent labor and Troy's careless indifference highlights differing attitudes toward responsibility and social standing.
Characters to notice
- Gabriel Oak
Works tirelessly through the night and rain to cover the barley ricks, reflecting on his past and his unrequited love for Bathsheba.
- William Boldwood
Meets Oak on the lane, confesses his neglect of the ricks and his profound grief over losing Bathsheba, comparing his suffering to the biblical story of Jonah.
- Frank Troy
Leads a procession of men from the barn, whistling and indifferent to the ricks, entering the farmhouse.
Key passages
“He prepared a gourd to shade me, and like the prophet I thanked Him and was glad. But the next day He prepared a worm to smite the gourd and wither it; and I feel it is better to die than to live!”
Boldwood compares his brief hope of marrying Bathsheba to the gourd that sheltered Jonah, which God then destroyed with a worm, leaving him wishing for death.
Boldwood's biblical allusion underscores his despair and sense of divine betrayal.
“Oak suddenly remembered that eight months before this time he had been fighting against fire in the same spot as desperately as he was fighting against water now—and for a futile love of the same woman.”
Oak recalls that eight months earlier he fought a fire on this same farm for Bathsheba, and now he fights the rain for her again, both efforts seemingly in vain.
This reflection highlights Oak's enduring devotion and the cyclical nature of his sacrifices.