Jude the Obscure

Jude arrives in Shaston to find Sue’s schoolroom deserted. He plays his cherished hymn on Phillotson’s piano, which moves Sue upon her arrival. Over tea, they candidly discuss their bond, recognizing their shared traits and affection. A dispute arises when Jude accuses Sue of flirtation, prompting a dialogue about social expectations. Jude lingers in town and returns to catch a glimpse through her window of Sue clutching a photograph. Jude assumes the photograph is of him and resolves to see her again, conflicted between his earlier resolve and his enduring feelings.

Despite agreeing not to meet again, Jude informs Sue of his aunt’s passing, and she attends the funeral. Jude hints at a reunion with Arabella, upsetting Sue, who confesses her marital discontent. That evening, Jude encounters a rabbit ensnared in a “gin trap” and mercifully ends its suffering. Sue is also disturbed by the trapped animal and joins him with the same intention. In their shared moment, Sue opens up to Jude about her inner turmoil, and her inability to sleep. Jude, moved by her vulnerability, expresses his earnest desire to support her through her troubles.

After sharing a passionate kiss, Jude reflects on his love for Sue. Realizing that it places him in conflict with his ecclesiastical aspirations, he burns his theological works. Sue confesses to Phillotson about holding Jude’s hand, omitting the kiss. That night, she sleeps apart from Phillotson and expresses her desire to live separately from him with Jude. To her mind, domestic laws should accommodate individual temperaments. Though initially taken aback, Phillotson eventually compromises by allowing them to live separately while remaining in the same household.

Phillotson inadvertently enters Sue’s room one night, prompting her to jump out of the window. She claims it was part of a dream, but Phillotson is not convinced. Phillotson confides his marital woes to his friend Gillingham and expresses his inclination to let Sue go. Despite Gillingham’s objections, Phillotson feels compelled to follow his instincts, even if they contradict the expected actions. He informs Sue of his decision, leading to an amicable discussion focused on the practicalities of Sue’s departure. He offers Sue money and various goods to ease the transition. Later, Phillotson confesses to Gillingham his unconventional choice, realizing that his actions transcend conventional beliefs about marriage but also seem to be the only moral option.

Jude and Sue rendezvous in Melchester and take a train to Aldbrickham. Jude tells her that he has agreed to divorce Arabella so that she can marry her Australian husband. Even so, Sue is uncomfortable with Jude’s plan for them to share a single room at the Temperance Hotel that evening. Jude accuses her of lacking genuine love, forcing Sue to defend herself. They relocate to different lodgings, this time checking in as cousins. However, Jude inadvertently selects an inn where he once stayed with Arabella. Sue questions Jude’s fidelity, perturbed by the revelation. Jude points out that, at the time, Arabella was still legally his wife, even though she considered herself remarried. Eventually, they reconcile and settle in for the night.

Back in Shaston, Phillotson faces community scrutiny for letting Sue elope with Jude. Phillotson admits to allowing Sue’s departure and refuses to resign from his position as schoolmaster because he does not think he is guilty of anything. Nonetheless, he is dismissed by the School Committee. Phillotson calls a public meeting to defend his actions, but it devolves into a brawl. Phillotson falls ill, and Gillingham contacts Sue. Sue visits Philloston, and he pleads for her to return permanently, but to no avail. She tells Phillotson of Jude’s impending divorce. After her departure, Phillotson decides to formally divorce Sue, prioritizing her freedom despite personal consequences. Though Gillingham disagrees with his rationale, he supports the decision.

A year later, Phillotson’s divorce from Sue and Jude’s divorce from Arabella are finalized. Although the divorces leave Jude and Sue free to marry, Sue worries about social stigma and prefers to avoid the constraints of another marriage. Jude laments Sue’s lack of passion but yields to her terms. They work together on headstones, a less prestigious job than Jude’s previous work as a cathedral stonemason.

One evening, Sue informs Jude that a woman, likely Arabella, is looking for him. Tensions rise when Arabella reappears and requests Jude’s help. Despite Sue’s pleas, Jude sympathizes with Arabella. An argument ensues, ending when Arabella vanishes. Desperate, Sue offers to marry Jude if he stays. Sue regrets her coldness compared to Arabella. Jude relents, abstaining from meeting Arabella.

The next day, Sue seeks Arabella. After a telegram from her second husband arrives, urging Arabella’s return, Arabella encourages Sue to marry Jude, predicting its practical benefits. Sue agrees, though she is still disturbed by the idea. Later, Arabella informs Jude that she will write him on an important matter.

Jude and Sue delay their marriage. Arabella’s letter states she is married to Cartlett and reveals that she had Jude’s child in Australia. She asks Jude to take over caring for their son. The child arrives and Arabella barely speaks to him before sending him to Jude. Arabella does not send word of the child’s pending arrival until too late, so the boy walks to Jude’s house, surprising Jude and Sue. The child’s resemblance to Jude evokes complex emotions. Sue embraces her role as his “mother,” prompting Jude to consider his educational aspirations for the boy. They resolve to marry legally for his sake.

The day after the child’s arrival, Jude and Sue learn he has no name but is dubbed “Little Father Time” due to his mature demeanor and countenance (227). They plan their marriage, inviting an acquaintance who shares a grim tale about Jude’s family. Despite their intentions, Jude and Sue are disheartened at the registry office, the tragic atmosphere filling them with foreboding. Witnessing a church wedding, reminiscent of their past unhappy unions, solidifies their decision to forgo marriage. They affirm their happiness together, prioritizing personal contentment over social appearance.

At the Stoke-Barehills agricultural show, Arabella, accompanied by her husband, Cartlett, notices Jude, Sue, and Little Father Time. Arabella, silently and jealously observes the seemingly happy trio and encounters acquaintances, including Physician Vilbert, with whom she jokes about purchasing a “love-philtre” to get Jude back. As Jude and Sue admire a model of Christminster, Arabella jests about Jude’s affection for the town. Despite Arabella’s cynicism, Jude and Sue revel in their shared happiness, albeit overshadowed by Little Father Time’s constant melancholy.

Speculation abounds about Jude and Sue’s relationship. Jude and Sue leave for several days and return, claiming to be wed, but the rumors persist. Jude deems it wise to relocate where they are unfamiliar. Multiple incidents validate this: Jude loses church employment after being recognized with Sue; Little Father Time faces ridicule at school; and Jude faces pressure to resign from a committee. Their move is full of uncertainty. They are not sure where to go and Jude is unsure what he will do for work. At the auction, Sue’s distress peaks when a poulterer buys her pet pigeons for pies, lamenting nature’s cruelty as she releases them.

Jude and Sue live transiently for two and a half years. At Kennetbridge fair, Arabella, now widowed, encounters Sue selling cakes. Sue admits that Jude’s health has been declining from overwork. He now bakes Christminster-themed cakes. Both women acknowledge Jude’s lingering attachment to Christminster, epitomized in his confectionery shapes. Sue tells Arabella that they now have two children and that she is pregnant with another. She still feels conflicted about bringing more lives into their existence. Arabella reveals her newfound solace in religion, contrasting her life in Alfredston.

Arabella relinquishes her newfound religious fervor and aims to win Jude back. She discards religious pamphlets, symbolizing her change of heart. Arabella’s chance encounter with Phillotson stirs conversation about Sue’s unhappiness and the consequences of their divorces. She advises stern discipline for wives, echoing her possessiveness over Jude.

Meanwhile, Sue informs Jude of Arabella’s proximity, prompting Jude’s decision to return to Christminster, despite his previous rejection there.