Jude The Obscure Summary
Description
Here you will find a Jude The Obscure summary (Thomas Hardy's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters Jude The Obscure Summary Overview
Raised as an orphan by his working-class aunt, Jude Fawley aspires to join the university in Christminster but his circumstances lead him to a life as a stonemason instead. His aspirations are fueled by his local schoolmaster, Richard Phillotson, who had moved to Christminster during Jude's childhood. Jude's dreams are further complicated when he is deceived into a loveless marriage with Arabella, keeping him tied to his home village. When his marriage to Arabella deteriorates and she leaves for Australia, Jude finally takes the leap and moves to Christminster, only to face disappointment when the university does not welcome his enrollment. In Christminster, Jude encounters his cousin Sue Bridehead, and despite his best efforts, finds himself falling for her. He assists her in securing a job with Phillotson, hoping to keep her close, but is disheartened to learn of their engagement, and later, marriage. Jude is not taken aback when Sue expresses her unhappiness in her marriage and ultimately leaves Phillotson to live with him. Despite both of them being divorced, Sue is reluctant to remarry. The situation further complicates when Arabella informs Jude about their son in Australia, whom Jude decides to bring in. Sue and Jude parent the boy and also have two children of their own. Following a bout of illness, Jude decides to move his family back to Christminster, where they struggle to find accommodation due to their unmarried status. Tragedy strikes when Jude's son, in a misguided attempt to ease their burdens, hangs his siblings and himself. Devastated, Sue, blaming herself and their unconventional relationship for the tragedy, returns to Phillotson. Jude is manipulated into cohabiting with Arabella once again, and not long after, he passes away.
part 1
Villagers in Marygreen are distressed over the departure of the schoolmaster, Richard Phillotson, to Christminster. Unaware of how to transport his piano, Phillotson accepts a solution from a young boy, Jude Fawley, to keep the piano at his aunt's place. Jude resides with his aunt Drusilla, a local baker, following his father's death. Drusilla suggests that Phillotson could have taken Jude to Christminster due to his passion for books. Feeling uncomfortable with the gossip about him, Jude retreats to the bakehouse for breakfast before heading to a cornfield to scare crows. Having a change of heart, Jude stops scaring the birds, resulting in his dismissal by the farmer who employed him. After telling his aunt about the incident, they discuss Christminster, something Jude is curious about. He ventures into town to inquire about it and is directed northeast. Venturing towards Christminster, Jude climbs a rooftop, inquiring about the town to the workers. They inform him that it's sometimes visible but not today. Eventually, he gets a glimpse of the city before heading home. Intrigued by the city lights, Jude returns at dusk, encountering coal miners who describe Christminster as a "place of light" with a "tree of knowledge," which encourages Jude to believe it's the right place for him. On his way home, he meets Physician Vilbert and learns that even washerwomen in Christminster speak Latin, which fuels his desire to learn Latin and Greek. Vilbert promises to provide him with grammar books in exchange for Jude advertising his potions. However, Vilbert fails to deliver the books. Jude then writes to Phillotson asking for grammar books but is disheartened to realize Latin isn't easy to learn. To help his aunt, Jude begins to deliver bread while studying Latin. At sixteen, he begins to study the Bible and takes up stonecutting to save money for Christminster. He starts lodging in Alfredston during weekdays but returns to Marygreen on weekends. During one of his journeys, he meets Arabella Donn after she accidentally hits him with a piece of pig's flesh. Their relationship grows, and Arabella deceives Jude into believing she's pregnant, leading to a hasty marriage. After the wedding, Arabella confesses about her false pregnancy, leaving Jude feeling trapped and depressed. He even considers suicide. To his surprise, Arabella leaves him to move to Australia with her parents.
part 2
Three years into his unhappy marriage, Jude travels to Christminster, driven by a portrait of his cousin Sue Bridehead. He gets lodged in a suburb, Beersheba, and is drawn to the town's colleges and philosophers. He tries to get work in the colleges, finally securing a job at a stonemason's yard. Even though his aunt advised against seeing Sue, he visits her shop and sees her working on a scroll. He resolves not to fall for her, fearing a doomed marriage like the ones in his family. Jude discovers Sue's church and watches her from a distance since he's a married man. He eventually crosses paths with her at his work-site. After she visits his workplace and leaves a note, they arrange to meet. Jude is surprised to find out that his old schoolmaster, Phillotson, is now a village teacher, not a parson as he had assumed. Jude and Sue visit Phillotson, who doesn't remember Jude initially. Phillotson, though content with his life, mentions needing a pupil-teacher. Jude suggests Sue for the job, and despite the low salary, she accepts viewing it as an apprenticeship. Sue starts working immediately, and there's an initial awkwardness between them due to the age gap. However, Jude notices Phillotson growing affectionate towards Sue. Returning home, Jude's aunt's ill health and his friend's surprise at his non-admission to college, propels him to apply to five professors for university admission. Eventually, he receives a reply, advising him to stick to his current profession. This leaves Jude despondent, leading him to drink at a tavern. After an incident at the tavern, Jude is fired from his job. He returns to his hometown, Marygreen, and encounters Mr. Highridge, a clergyman. Jude shares his failed ambition with Highridge who suggests that he can still participate in the church if he renounces alcohol.
part 3
Jude decides to pursue a career as a low-ranking clergyman, spurred on by advice from a priest. He receives a letter from Sue, who is attending Training College in Melchester. She reveals her loneliness and implores him to visit. He complies, traveling to Melchester and taking Sue out for dinner. Sue shares her plans to teach with Phillotson after graduation, causing Jude to worry about Phillotson's romantic intentions. Sue initially brushes off Jude's concerns but later admits to accepting a marriage proposal from Phillotson. Jude secures a job at a cathedral in Melchester and begins reading theological books to prepare for his career. On a countryside walk with Sue, they end up far from the city and spend the night at a shepherd's residence. Sue's absence from the Training College results in disciplinary action upon her return. Sue seeks refuge at Jude's place, and the two discuss their educational experiences and her relationship with a deceased undergraduate from Christminster. Sue acknowledges Jude's feelings for her and limits his affection to fondness. However, the next day, she gives him permission to love her through a letter. Phillotson inquires about Sue's past, and Jude assures him that nothing inappropriate has transpired between them. Jude opens up about his past marriage to Arabella, angering Sue. Sue informs Jude about her impending marriage to Phillotson and requests him to give her away at the wedding. After Sue's marriage, Jude finds it unbearable to stay in Melchester and returns to Marygreen upon news of his aunt's critical health. Jude relocates to Christminster for work. At a pub, he encounters Arabella, who has returned from Australia. They spend a night together, and Arabella confesses she's married a hotel manager. Jude runs into Sue again, and she expresses regrets about marrying Phillotson. Despite his request to visit, she denies him. Jude immerses himself in his studies and music, and receives an apology and dinner invitation from Sue.
part 4
Jude visits Sue's school in Shaston, and they talk about their friendship and her marriage. He later observes her gazing at a photo. After receiving a letter from Sue asking him not to visit, he agrees. Soon, he learns about his aunt's death. At the funeral, Sue shares her discontent with her marriage but still has to head back to Shaston. Jude convinces her to stay at Mrs. Edlin's house. He expresses regret for not advising her against marrying Phillotson, leading Sue to believe that he still cares for her. However, Jude denies these feelings, blaming it on his rekindled relationship with Arabella. Sue sees through his lie and shares her struggles with her marriage to Phillotson. When Jude questions her if she would have chosen him over Phillotson, Sue doesn't respond and departs. Jude, distressed, kills a trapped rabbit. Sue, witnessing this, voices her wish to reverse her mistake of marrying Phillotson, and she kisses Jude. Jude later abandons his dream of becoming a minister due to his feelings for Sue and destroys his books. In Shaston, Sue reveals her feelings to Phillotson and suggests living separately, even proposing to live with Jude. Following a bizarre incident where Sue jumps out of their bedroom window, they decide to live in separate rooms. Phillotson seeks advice from his friend Gillingham about his marital issues, revealing his thoughts of allowing Sue to be with Jude. Despite Gillingham's disapproval, Phillotson gives Sue the freedom to leave and live as she pleases. Jude welcomes Sue in Aldbrickham, a town where they are strangers, and they check into a hotel. However, Sue is not ready to be intimate with Jude yet. When she learns about his recent encounter with Arabella, she feels betrayed. Jude defends himself, stating that Arabella is his legal wife, and he is content just being around Sue. Back in Shaston, Phillotson faces potential job loss due to Sue's actions. Following a failed defense, he falls sick, prompting Sue to return. She informs him about Jude's plans to divorce Arabella, and Phillotson contemplates doing the same.
part 5
Several months post-divorce, Jude proposes to Sue. She hesitates, fearing it might impact their relationship as she hasn't confessed her love yet. One day, a mysterious woman visits Jude, whom Sue believes is Arabella. When Arabella seeks Jude's assistance, Sue panics and agrees to marry Jude instantly. But Sue's guilt leads her to visit Arabella, who requests Jude's presence at the station. The couple's wedding plans are put on hold when they receive a startling revelation from Arabella. She informs them about their son, whom she had left in Australia but can no longer look after. Agreeing to adopt the boy, Jude and Sue are surprised when he arrives sooner than anticipated. In June, at an agricultural show, Arabella, now married to a man named Cartlett, discovers Jude and Sue with her son, nicknamed Little Father Time due to his mature behavior. Cartlett admiring their bond leads Arabella to clarify that the child isn't theirs biologically. Struggling with work, Jude suggests moving to London for a more anonymous life. After about two years, Sue, who now sells cakes at the Kennetbridge spring fair, runs into a widowed Arabella. Sue shares that Jude fell sick after catching a chill from his stone work. Arabella shares her envy with a friend on their way to Alfredston and they offer a lift to Phillotson, who is back as a schoolmaster at Marygreen. Upon returning home, Sue shares the encounter with Jude. Despite the town's disdain towards him, a recovering Jude expresses his wish to return to Christminster, even if it means dying there.
part 6
Jude, Sue, and their three children, including Little Father Time, now also called Jude, return to Christminster. Despite their best efforts, the family struggles to find a place to live due to Sue's past. One evening, Sue takes Little Time to find accommodations with no luck. The boy expresses regret at being born and gets upset upon learning Sue is expecting another child. The next day, a calamitous event unfolds in the morning. While preparing breakfast, Sue faints and upon investigating, Jude discovers the children have hanged themselves in the closet. Jude finds a note near the bodies from Little Time reading, "Done because we are too menny." Following this tragedy, Sue believes she is being punished by God and decides she should be with Phillotson, her legal husband, as she and Jude were never officially married. Meanwhile, Arabella manipulates a sick and drunk Jude into remarrying her. Despite his failing health, Jude travels to see Sue in the rain, expressing his desire to die. Sue confesses her love but insists she must stay with Phillotson. She then pledges to never meet Jude again and decides to share Phillotson's marital bed, considering it her obligation. During a summer festival, Arabella checks on Jude before heading out to watch the boat races, only to find him dead. She calmly proceeds to the festivities, planning to handle his body later. At his funeral, Arabella and Widow Edlin discuss Sue's absence. Despite Sue's resolve to never see Jude again, Arabella believes that Sue will only find peace in death, alongside Jude.
