# A Ride explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

## What happens

Gertrude Lodge, desperate to cure her disfigured arm, secretly plans to attend an execution in Casterbridge to obtain the hand of a hanged man as a remedy prescribed by the conjuror Trendle. After months of hesitation, she seizes an opportunity when her husband leaves on business, riding across Egdon Heath to reach the town before the hanging.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrecy

Gertrude conceals her true purpose from her husband and the innkeeper, riding a circuitous route to avoid detection.

### Isolation and Longing

Gertrude's desperate desire for her husband's love drives her to a morbid act, highlighting her emotional isolation.

### Fate and Coincidence

The timing of the execution and her husband's absence seem providential, reinforcing the conjuror's influence over her fate.

## Character check-ins

### Gertrude Lodge

Gertrude resolves to follow the conjuror's remedy, secretly riding to Casterbridge to witness an execution and obtain a hanged man's hand.

### Rhoda Brook

Though not directly present, Rhoda's earlier consultation with Trendle set the events in motion.

### Mr. Stockdale

Not directly present in this chapter.

## Key lines

> The communication sank deep into Gertrude's mind. Her nature was rather a timid one; and probably of all remedies that the white wizard could have suggested there was not one which would have filled her with so much aversion as this, not to speak of the immense obstacles in the way of its adoption.

Gertrude was deeply affected by the conjuror's advice, but her timid nature made the proposed cure—obtaining a hanged man's hand—seem horrifying and nearly impossible.

_Gertrude's initial reaction to Trendle's remedy._

> Instead of her formal prayers each night, her unconscious prayer was, 'O Lord, hang some guilty or innocent person soon!'

Her nightly prayers became a desperate wish for an execution to occur, regardless of the condemned person's guilt.

_Gertrude's moral descent as she longs for a death to cure her arm._

> She knew that she would light upon a furze-cutter or cottager of some sort from time to time, from whom she might correct her bearing.

She expected to encounter locals on the heath who could help her navigate.

_Gertrude's reliance on the sparse inhabitants of Egdon Heath for directions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vii-a-ride
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters