Summary Lucetta is a mile out of town on the road to Port-Bredy waiting for Donald. Elizabeth-Jane comes to meet her when suddenly they are confronted by a ferocious bull. The enraged animal pursues them into a barn where they are forced to flee from his maddened charging. Henchard arrives, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 29 – Lucetta’s RevelationSummary and Analysis Chapter 28 – The Judge Is Judged
Summary Henchard, being a magistrate, is required to preside in the case of the old woman accused of creating an obscene nuisance. In court Henchard fails to recognize the old crone, although she looks faintly familiar. However, after the arresting officer gives his story, the old woman tells the court […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 28 – The Judge Is JudgedSummary and Analysis Chapter 27 – Henchard Forces Lucetta to Consent
Summary Farfrae begins buying grain now that promise of a fair harvest has driven prices down. The weather quickly turns damp, and it is clear that Farfrae has once again been shrewd. An accident occurs beneath Lucetta’s window, involving Henchard’s and Donald’s hay wagons. Lucetta and Elizabeth-Jane both side with […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 27 – Henchard Forces Lucetta to ConsentSummary and Analysis Chapter 26 – Henchard Hires and Fires Jopp
Summary Henchard’s faint suspicion that his rival might be Donald abates when the latter shows his ignorance that the lady in Henchard’s past is Lucetta. But not long after, Henchard divines the rivalry when he and Donald are having tea with Lucetta. Elizabeth-Jane, who is witness to the awkward threesome, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 26 – Henchard Hires and Fires JoppSummary and Analysis Chapter 25 – Lucetta Chooses Donald
Summary Both Donald and Henchard call upon Lucetta. Lucetta insists that Elizabeth-Jane be present when Donald calls. During these visits Elizabeth-Jane sees only too plainly that Donald’s old passion for her has disappeared and that he is now in love with Lucetta. At these times she remains in the room […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 25 – Lucetta Chooses DonaldSummary and Analysis Chapter 24 – Lucetta Tells Elizabeth-Jane a Story
Summary Lucetta and Elizabeth-Jane now pass the days of the week in anxious anticipation of Saturday’s market when they might be able to catch a glimpse of Farfrae from their window. A new seeding machine called a horse-drill is brought to town and Lucetta — wearing her beautiful new dress […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 24 – Lucetta Tells Elizabeth-Jane a StorySummary and Analysis Chapter 23 – A Mutual Attraction
Summary The visitor is Donald Farfrae, “fair, fresh, and slenderly handsome,” come to call upon Elizabeth-Jane after receiving permission to court her. At first Lucetta and Donald are embarrassed, but a mutual attraction takes hold, and they pass the time flirting with each other. Overhearing a business transaction from the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 23 – A Mutual AttractionSummary and Analysis Chapter 22 – Lucetta Waits for Henchard’s Call
Summary Henchard had gone to High-Place Hall the same evening as Elizabeth-Jane because he had received a letter from Lucetta informing him of her new residence. However, Henchard learns that a Miss Templeman is the only resident, not a Miss Le Sueur (the name by which Henchard had known Lucetta […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 22 – Lucetta Waits for Henchard’s CallSummary and Analysis Chapter 21 – Elizabeth-Jane Moves to High-Place Hall
Summary Elizabeth-Jane, “almost with a lover’s feeling,” stealthily visits High-Place Hall, the chief town topic now that word is out of a new resident there. She is impressed by the easy but rather secret access the house has from many directions. Despite the fact that the appearance of the house […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 21 – Elizabeth-Jane Moves to High-Place HallSummary and Analysis Chapter 20 – Elizabeth-Jane Meets a Charming Stranger
Summary Henchard becomes cold toward Elizabeth-Jane and critical of her lapses into country dialect, her bold handwriting, and her kindness to servants. His behavior to her worsens when the servant Nance Mockridge defiantly tells him Elizabeth-Jane had once worked as a waitress in a pub. The revelation that she had […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 20 – Elizabeth-Jane Meets a Charming Stranger