“It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.”
Chapter 1: The Shepherd Meets a Stranger
Gabriel Oak, a young and independent shepherd, observes a proud and beautiful woman named Bathsheba Everdene. He saves her from a runaway wagon, and though she is indifferent, he becomes infatuated. Oak soon proposes marriage, but Bathsheba rejects him, valuing her independence.
Chapter 2: Bathsheba Inherits a Farm
Bathsheba unexpectedly inherits her uncle’s prosperous farm in Weatherbury, elevating her social status. Meanwhile, Oak loses his flock in a tragic accident and becomes a hired shepherd on Bathsheba’s farm, forcing him into an inferior position to the woman he loves.
Chapter 3: Boldwood’s Fatal Attraction
Bathsheba playfully sends a valentine to the wealthy, reserved farmer William Boldwood as a joke. He takes it seriously and becomes obsessed with her, leading to a dangerous infatuation that disrupts the rural community.
Chapter 4: The Arrival of Sergeant Troy
Bathsheba meets the dashing Sergeant Francis Troy, a charming but reckless soldier. Despite Oak’s warnings, she is drawn to Troy’s charisma and impulsively marries him, unaware of his past with Fanny Robin, a former lover.
Chapter 5: Fanny Robin’s Tragedy
Fanny Robin, a vulnerable young woman abandoned by Troy, dies in childbirth at the poorhouse. Bathsheba, unaware of the connection, discovers the truth when she and Oak find Fanny’s body and the infant in a coffin—revealing Troy’s betrayal.
Chapter 6: Troy’s Disappearance
Overcome with guilt, Troy disappears after a dramatic confrontation with Bathsheba at Fanny’s grave. He is presumed drowned, leaving Bathsheba a widow and freeing her from a destructive marriage.
Chapter 7: Boldwood’s Desperate Proposal
Boldwood, still obsessed, pressures Bathsheba to marry him after Troy’s presumed death. She reluctantly agrees out of guilt, but Troy suddenly reappears, demanding his wife back. In a fit of rage, Boldwood shoots Troy dead.
Chapter 8: Justice and Resolution
Boldwood is sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. Bathsheba, now free from both Troy and Boldwood, reflects on her choices. Gabriel Oak, ever loyal, stands by her, and they finally marry, finding happiness in a quiet, enduring love.
Key Ideas
- The struggle for female independence in a patriarchal society.
- The destructive power of impulsive passion versus steady devotion.
- The contrast between rural simplicity and romantic idealism.
- Fate and chance as driving forces in human relationships.
- The moral consequences of vanity and pride.
Notable Adaptations
| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Far from the Madding Crowd | Film directed by John Schlesinger, starring Julie Christie. |
| 1998 | Far from the Madding Crowd | TV movie starring Paloma Baeza and Nathaniel Parker. |
| 2015 | Far from the Madding Crowd | Film starring Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts. |
Who should read this book?
- Fans of classic Victorian literature with strong female protagonists.
- Readers interested in pastoral settings and rural life.
- Those who enjoy complex love triangles and moral dilemmas.
- Admirers of Thomas Hardy’s melancholic yet poetic storytelling.