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Far from the Madding Crowd- chapter 30

Bathsheba is kissed a second time after meeting up with Troy. She confides in Liddy that she loves Troy and threatens Liddy that she'll never speak to her again if she tells anyone. Liddy offers to quit. Bathsheba persuades her to stay.

I think Bathsheba needs a personal friend that is not an employee to discuss her feelings. She is a very confused woman and it doesn't help that Gabriel hasn't told her about Troy having a relationship with Fanny. Maybe Boldwood will.

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far from the Madding Crowd: chapter 29

You know Troy is bad news when is Gabriel is encouraging Bathsheba to reconsider her relationship with Boldwood.

It's hilarious that despite Bathsheba's lack of interest in Gabriel she takes the time to explain her feelings about Boldwood to him and how she plans to handle that situation. How is this any of Gabriel's business? Why tell him all this?

They then go on to have a longer discussion which ends with Bathsheba threatening to fire Gabriel yet again. I like the way Gabriel completely ignores her and says he's staying and gives her all the reasons why. She agrees he can stay if he wishes.

These two have an interesting dynamic. In some ways they act like an old married couple -- the way they argue things through. Katniss and Peeta exhibited a similar dynamic as their relationship progressed in THG books.

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

THG Book Club: April 28-May 4

Bathsheba acknowledges she loves Troy, Liddy gets whiplash from it, and Boldwood brings out his fury.

Read: Chapter XXXI and Chapter XXXII

Discuss: Chapter XXIX and Chapter XXX

#thg book club #read: far from the madding crowd #weekly schedule

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 28

Meeting Troy to watch his sword-exercise is the first assertive move Bathsheba has made in regards to a man - as Liddy was the one to encourage her to send Boldwood the valentine (and I view the "marry me" stamp done as an anonymous prank).

Still I don't think Bathsheba was expecting Troy's kiss at the end of the exercise since she felt like one who had committed a great sin.

Why? Is she feeling guilty because she's practically told Boldwood that she'll marry him?

And can we talk about Troy lying to her that the sword had a blunt edge, and then waving a razor-sharp sword all around her body to show off. He is reckless.

#read: far from the madding crowd

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Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 27

No, Bathsheba, don't fall for Troy!

Last week, I called Bathsheba inexperienced with men and she really is even if she's gotten two marriage proposals already. She could be snooty with Gabriel after he proposed because she felt superior to him, and then guilty with Boldwood because of her prankish "marry me" valentine.

But Troy is the first man who is over-the-top flirtatious with her and he seems to be "dating" or "courting" her (by making arrangement to meet up with her later). It's natural that he'd get her attention.

In the Hunger Games, we see Katniss also inexperienced and confused and even a bit flattered about the boys/men interested in her, just like Bathsheba.

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

THG Book Club: April 21-27

One love interest uses a sword, another, his words to try and persuade Bathsheba. The drama is really getting going here!

Read: Chapter XXIX and Chapter XXX

Discuss: Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII

#read: far from the madding crowd #thg book club #weekly schedule

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Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 26

Sargeant Troy really lays it on thick in this chapter. In his second meeting with Bathsheba he tells her over and over how beautiful she is, says he's in love with her, and then tries to force his gold watch (the only thing he inherited from his father) on her.

He leaves Bathsheba in perplexed excitement, hot, and almost tearful.

I really dislike this character and mainly because I've met his ilk long ago when I was single. The bad thing is that inexperienced women, like Bathsheba or any of us for that matter, can fall for this kind of behavior. Healthy romantic relationships develop over time. Do not trust anyone who "love bombs" you.

Still wondering what happened to Fanny!

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 26

The main points of this chapter, in my opinion, can be summed up in two partial sentences.

He (Troy) was moderately truthful towards men, but to woman he lied like a Cretan...(yet another religious reference this one with a nod toward Titus 1:12).

A week or two after the shearing Bathsheba, feeling a nameless relief of spirits on account of Boldwood's absence...

This relationship appears to be a disaster in the making - a liar and a confused woman.

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

THG Book Club: April 14-20

Sergeant Troy has been putting the moves on Bathsheba--let's discuss!

Read: Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII

Discuss: Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI

#thg book club #read: far from the madding crowd #weekly schedule

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 24

In making her night rounds as bailiff to her farm, Bathsheba encounters a man in the dark whose spur gets entangled in an embellishment on her dress. Conversation ensues while they extricate themselves from the entanglement (more symbolism).

The man, who says he's Sargeant Troy, calls Bathsheba "Beauty" a few times.

Later, when Bathsheba gets home she asks Liddy about him, which gives us readers more background about Sargeant Troy. As usual, Bathsheba is interested in this new man, especially as Boldwood had never once said she was beautiful.

My questions: why didn't Liddy mention that Sargeant Troy was Fanny's beau? What happened to Fanny?

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

Gabriel Oak's chapter: He's a dude.

William Boldwood's chapter: He's a secret freak.

Sergeant Troy's chapter: He's the 🎵woooOOOooorst🎵

No but really, Boldwood is the veneer of having it together but when nudged isn't able to come back to the middle. Sergeant Troy toys with people and doesn't think about the consequences to his actions. Basically, Hardy is saying pick the dude that's going to be constant and reliable and even-tempered.

#read: far from the madding crowd

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Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 23

The symbolism of Bathsheba initially asking Gabriel to sit at the foot of the feast table (opposite to her) and then telling him to move and let Boldwood take his seat says it all as to her feelings about both men. Yet, Bathsheba goes on later to ask Gabriel to play his flute while she sang. But then, Boldwood joins in to sing as well. Afterward, Boldwood proposes a second time, but Bathsheba strings him along yet again -- she wants more time to make a decision. Bathsheba is SO confused. An aside, why is Pennyways the former bailiff who stole from her and was fired by her allowed to sit at the table?

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

THG Book Club: April 7-13

And suitor #3 has entered the chat. Let's talk Sergeant Troy and his fateful meeting with Bathsheba.

Read: Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI

Discuss: Chapter XXIII and Chapter XXIV

#read: far from the madding crowd #thg book club #weekly schedule

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far From the Madding Crowd - Chapter 21

Not 24 hours gone and there’s a lamb related catastrophe.

I laughed through this chapter

"How dare you name that man in my presence!" she said excitedly. "I told you never to allude to him, nor shall you if you stay with me.

"Oh, what shall I do—what shall I do!" she again exclaimed, wringing her hands. "I won't send for him. No, I won't!"

The most vigorous expression of a resolution does not always coincide with the greatest vigour of the resolution itself. It is often flung out as a sort of prop to support a decaying conviction which, whilst strong, required no enunciation to prove it so. The "No, I won't" of Bathsheba meant virtually, "I think I must."

She needs him and she hates it

Bathsheba checked her grief and wiped her eyes. "Oh, it is a wicked cruelty to me—it is—it is!" she murmured. "And he drives me to do what I wouldn't; yes, he does!—Tall, come indoors."

Then

"Do not desert me, Gabriel!"

~~~~~~~~~~

If this isn’t a reoccurring theme in their relationship:

It was a moment when a woman's eyes and tongue tell distinctly opposite tales. Bathsheba looked full of gratitude, and she said:—

"Oh, Gabriel, how could you serve me so unkindly!"

Such a tenderly-shaped reproach for his previous delay was the one speech in the language that he could pardon for not being commendation of his readiness now.

Actually, bookmark this whole chapter - I’m pretty sure it has a mirror later.

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far From The Madding Crowd - Chapter 20

Revisiting this chapter because it’s my favorite so far in the reread

In every point of view, ranging from politic to passionate, it was desirable that she, a lonely girl, should marry, and marry this earnest, well-to-do, and respected man.

When you think about it, she probably should feel more alone: she’s in an unfamiliar place, with no family present, taking on a job she didn’t expect, she fired her Bailiff… Gabriel is the only person she knows and trusts. He’s a steady, reassuring presence in her life

~~~~~~~~

This feels significant-

Oak stood somewhat as Eros is represented when in the act of sharpening his arrows: his figure slightly bent, the weight of his body thrown over on the shears, and his head balanced side-ways, with a critical compression of the lips and contraction of the eyelids to crown the attitude.

Eros - Greek God of Love and Sex 👀 - she’s also about to talk to him about her love life so there’s that too.

~~~~~~~~~

This description is so vivid, I can feel it:

The peculiar motion involved in turning a wheel has a wonderful tendency to benumb the mind. It is a sort of attenuated variety of Ixion's punishment, and contributes a dismal chapter to the history of gaols. The brain gets muddled, the head grows heavy, and the body's centre of gravity seems to settle by degrees in a leaden lump somewhere between the eyebrows and the crown. Bathsheba felt the unpleasant symptoms after two or three dozen turns.

~~~~~~~~~~

Then there this:

He relinquished the winch, and inclosing her two hands completely in his own (taking each as we sometimes slap a child's hand in teaching him to write), grasped the shears with her. "Incline the edge so," he said.

Hands and shears were inclined to suit the words, and held thus for a peculiarly long time by the instructor as he spoke.

"That will do," exclaimed Bathsheba. "Loose my hands. I won't have them held! Turn the winch."

In another context, this would be a pretty sexy moment, and maybe it was for Gabriel who held on for a peculiarly long time, but that Hardy says ‘taking each as we sometimes slap a child's hand in teaching him to write’ which kills the vibe for me… with that being said - it sets the scene for the rest of their encounter - Gabriel (compared to the God of love and desire) reprimanding/advising her on her actions towards Boldwood and Bathsheba, frustrated and batting him away.

~~~~~~~~~

As I was listening - this popped out at me:

A woman may be treated with a bitterness which is sweet to her, and with a rudeness which is not offensive. Bathsheba would have submitted to an indignant chastisement for her levity had Gabriel protested that he was loving her at the same time; the impetuosity of passion unrequited is bearable, even if it stings and anathematizes—there is a triumph in the humiliation, and a tenderness in the strife. This was what she had been expecting, and what she had not got. To be lectured because the lecturer saw her in the cold morning light of open-shuttered disillusion was exasperating. He had not finished, either. He continued in a more agitated voice:—

Which reminded me of

It takes a long time before I get to the bottom of why I'm so upset. When I do, it's almost too mortifying to admit. All those months of taking it for granted that Peeta thought I was wonderful are over. Finally, he can see me for who I really am.

IDK, what do you think? Does the whole argument have a similar flavor to Hijacked Peeta’s first conversation with Katniss?

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 22

Hardy spends the first 3 1/2 pages of this chapter (in my book) describing/comparing Bathsheba's barn to a church. Interesting. What happens in churches? Sacred things take place.

In Bathsheba's barn, the sheep are being sheared and everyone on the farm is involved. Bathsheba is watching Gabriel closely and he is aware of it. She watches as he shears a sheep perfectly in 23 minutes which is a record. This type of scene is classic in romance fics in which the heroine admires her beloved as he shows off his skills, i.e. Katniss admiring Peeta's drawing abilities.

Unfortunately the scene changes. Boldwood appears. He speaks with Bathsheba privately and then she announces that she's going to leave with Boldwood to see his Leicesters (a kind of sheep). She tells Gabriel to take charge of the shearing.

After Bathsheba leaves her farmhands decide that her exit with Boldwood indicates that the two will wed. Gabriel defends Bathsheba when one of the men says that Bathsheba kissed Boldwood on a previous visit. But Gabriel privately agrees with the men that the couple will wed. He regrets his previous lecture to her regarding her behavior thinking it was a mistake.

As a fan of Gabriel, I don't like where this is going.

#read: far from the madding crowd

[hungergamesbookclub]

Far from the Madding Crowd - chapter 21

Bathsheba is on her way to church when her farmhands stop her and tell her that her sheep have broken through a fence and got into a field of clover which they've eaten and are now falling over and near to dying. (For sheep, some kinds of clover can be toxic because it causes gases to form in their stomach which cannot escape fast enough.)

The farmhands tell Bathsheba that Gabriel (who she fired in the previous chapter) is the only one in the area who can save her sheep. "They must be pierced in the side with a thing made on purpose." (The religious image of the Lamb of God being pierced in the side on the cross springs to mind, although that piercing confirmed death while for the sheep it brings life.) And only Gabriel knows the correct spot.

Bathsheba sends one of the men to ask Gabriel to help. The man comes back with a message from Gabriel: "beggars mustn't be choosers." Upset to tears, Bathsheba writes him a letter with a message at the bottom: "Do not desert me, Gabriel!" (Another letter to a man this time with a desperate message, so different from her flippant "marry me" one to Boldwood.)

After receiving the letter, Gabriel arrives to help. After he saves her sheep, Bathsheba asks him to stay on with her (to work on her farm). He agrees.

So as it currently stands in the story, the ball is in Gabriel's court. He has forced Bathsheba to recognize that she needs him for his shepherding skills.

#read: far from the madding crowd