Choose a quotation from the first two instalments of the novel (chapters 1-5 / chapters 6-8). Remind us what chapter it comes from, then explain briefly why you chose it. Feel free to comment on other quotations! Due by Thursday, December 3rd. (Also, please vote in the poll on the right!)
The quotation I've chosen is "misfortune is a fine opiate to a personal terror" from chapter 6 (page 46 if you have the same collection).
ReplyDeleteI find this phrase quite intriguing since it evokes one of the main themes of the book: misery/misfortune. It also contains a paradox between "fine" and "opiate": we would think a drogue isn't "fine" because of it destructive effects, thus this means we can speak of a satisfying yet noxious addiction. Indeed, the theme of addiction/obsession is omnipresent in the book, particularly the 'Bathsheba obsession'.
"Gabriel's features adhered (...) to the middle line between the beauty of St John and the ugliness of Judas Iscariot" (p.13, Chapter 1).
ReplyDeleteI chose this quotation because it represents the theme of religion that is omnipresent in the book. Furthermore, Hardy is opposing St John and Judas which is very effective. With this antithesis, it seems like Gabriel is relegated to the background, which highlights his position of average man. Indeed, even when he is being described the persons he's being compared to stand out more than he does.
The quotation I have chosen is "Weatherbury. It was where Batsheba had gone two months before. This information was like coming from night into noon." from page 45, chapter VI.
ReplyDeleteI chose this one because it represents extremely well the obsession Oak has for Bathsheba. For example, Oak's excitement is shown through the short sentence composed of only one word "Weatherbury" followed by another one which starts with Bathsheba's name linked to the adverb "where". Furthermore, with the opposition between "night" and "noon", the narrator reveals Oak's astonishment of knowing that fate brings him to "Weatherbury", closer to Bathsheba. Indeed, Oak is truly obsessed by her and this is omnipresent in the whole book.
This quotation also stands out for me, especially the last sentence. It is short and straightfoward, which contrasts with Hardy's usually intricate and lengthy statements ; we almost have the impression to enter Gabriel's mind and to follow the track of his thoughts. As you pointed out Eva, the juxtaposion of "night" and "noon" is particularly effective in conveying the strength of his feelings for Bathsheba. Those two very short words are quite similar with the alliteration in [n], which enhances the conflicting ideas of darkness and light that are conjured up. This acute opposition somehow reminded me of Shakespeare's style, such as when Hermia clames that Lysander "hath turned a heaven unto a hell".
Delete"Now that Oak had turned himself into a shepherd it seemed that bailiffs were most in demand." Chapter VI
ReplyDeleteI chose this quotation because it shows the role of Chance in Oak's life, since his hiring depends on his clothing. It also illustrates Oak's misfortune which seems to cling to him since the beginning of the novel. In addition, this quotation and the description of the fair help the reader to picture the rural world where Hardy's characters evolve.
I love your quotation Chloé :D Just as you said it perfectly shows Oak's misfortune which haunts him at the beginning of the novel. Furthermore, it also shows that Oak, a character who is really attached to routine and tradition, tries to change himself and adapt to the situation to get the best out of it. Sadly, it looks like fate doesn't like him changing because, when he "had turned himself into a shepherd it seemed like bailiffs were most in demand.". This hints at Hardy's love for tradition.
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ReplyDelete"[Gabriel] wished [Bathsheba] knew his impressions; but he would as soon have thought of carrying an odour in a net as of attempting to convey the intangibilities of his feeling in the coarse meshes of language. So he remained silent."
ReplyDeleteChapter III p 26.
I chose this quotation because I really like the idea it conveys : it is hard to express feelings with words as they seem so vague, so intangible, as it is said, so complex that putting them into words wouldn't do them justice since they are described as "coarse". It sounds like words are 'clumsy' with the phrase "meshes of language", as if they were a trap or something you could trip on... I also found it quite interesting that it is said that Gabriel "would as soon have thought of carrying an odour in a net" which again gives a dangerous aspect to words, as if it was risky to use them. Gabriel seems to be the kind of character who acts rather than talks to show his feelings.
I think if you hadn't chosen this quote I might have, as I find it really interesting! The idea of the inadequacy of language is so beautifully expressed - I especially love the phrase 'the coarse meshes of language' which, as you pointed out, makes words seem particularly difficult to use (you put that really nicely actually - I like the idea of clumsy words). As you explained, this quotation explores both the nature of language and Gabriel's own personality, giving it some depth. However you picked out a darker and more dangerous element in this statement that I hadn't noticed when I read it, which caught my attention in reading your explanation and is actually really relevant - thanks :)
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ReplyDelete"The poetry of motion is a phrase much in use, and to enjoy the epic form of that gratification it is necessary to stand on a hill at a small hour of the night, and, having first expanded with a sense of difference from the mass of civilised mankind, who are dreamwrapt and disregardful of all such proceedings at this time, long and quietly watch your stately progress through stars."
ReplyDelete[chapter 2 ; page 15]
I loved this quotation back in summer when I first read the book. First, I feel like it develops the praise of Nature that Hardy does throughout the book and the opposition between "good" Nature and "bad" civilisation. The "civilised mankind" is here described as "dreamwrapt and disregardful" (highlighted by the alliteration in [d]) and they seem ignorant and extremly tiny next to "the poetry of motion".
And then, how beautiful are these words: "the poetry of motion"? I remember after that, as I was in the countryside in August, leaning at night in the grass and watch the stars thinking about this quotation. It sounds lame but it made this quotation really stand out as it is quite true and universal. I particularly like the word "stately" to describe the "progress": the movement of planets, satellites or stars is indeed magnificent.
"Without law there is no sin, and without eyes there is no indecorum; and she appeared to feel that Gabriel's espial had made her an indecorous woman without her own connivance." Chapter III, p24
ReplyDeleteGiven that gaze is very present throughout the book, I think this quotation highlights its importance and also Bathsheba's character. At this point of the story, he just told her he saw her on the horseback; that's why she seems upset with the fact that Gabriel might think she is "indecorous". Even though she does not love him, she likes being an attractive woman and takes care of her reputation and image. Moreover, this quotation shows that she is not submissive at all when the narrator adds "without her own connivance". Thus, I chose this passage because it develops Bathsheba's character by revealing her feelings and attitudes toward men and her self-respect and I love the way this unusual female character is portrayed.
I shouldn't mind being a bride at a wedding if I could be one without having a husband. But since a woman can't show off in that way by herself I shan't marry- at least not yet."
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the first quotations that comes to my mind when I think about Bathsheba at the beginning of this story. This really shows how independent she is, and her "wild" personality. Moreover this vanity and self-conscious aspect of her is also present in what she says at this moment. The only point of being a bride, ( and we can notice that she did not use the word "wife") without a husband would be to be the center of the attention.The second sentence shows that she is aware of this kind of gender inequality, the fact that a woman is not supposed to live ny herself and has to be married to a man. On the overall I thought this passage was very powerful and important, as it is revealing the main characteristics of Bathsheba's personality and way of thinking. A way of thinking that I love about her..
I also really like this quote ! I found you expressed well all what it means and in what ways it develops Bathsheba’s character as a strong woman, as you say “wild”. It also really shows how she stands out from the stereotypes and pressure of this period, depicted by the second sentence, in the way that she wants to remain independent and seeks what could benefit her. I also thought that it can let us have a hint at what is going to happen after, as she will get married, because in the sentence we can find some ambiguity as she doesn’t reject marriage completely. Overall great job! ;)
DeleteThere is one particular quote that lingered in my mind even after I finished reading the book, and that is the paragraph at the end of chapter 5, about George's son's death :
ReplyDelete“George's son had done his work so thoroughly, that he was considered too good a workman to live—and was, in fact, taken and tragically shot at twelve o'clock that same day—another instance of the untoward fate which so often attends dogs and other philosophers who follow out a train of reasoning to its logical conclusion, and attempt perfectly consistent conduct in a world made up so largely of compromise.”
One reason I still remember this quote, is the fact that it's both ironic and tragic : in fact, the irony used by the narrator (with the paradox “too good a workman to live”) seems to fuel the tragic aspect of the paragraph, pointing out the unfairness of life, and its relation to logic.
Furthermore, the consonance in [t] in this paragraph (“fact”, “taken”, “tragically”, “shot”, “twelve“, “instance”...) enhances the harshness of what the narrator is saying, revealing the image a brutal world, illogical and contradictory.
Although the event told in this paragraph is, in fact, tragic, we find here a characteristic to Hardy's writing in this novel : a bit of humor, a dim light, perhaps, in the shadow of what happened to George's son. This might be seen in the phrase “dogs and other philosophers”—the narrator seems to not only be using dogs as an exemple to philosophize about human behavior and its consequences, but the phrasing also makes it seem like dogs and philosophers are on the same intellectual level, which I found vaguely amusing.
"When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth spread till they were within an unimportant distance of his ears, his eyes were reduced to chinks, and diverging wrinkles appeared round them, extending upon his countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of the rising sun".
ReplyDeleteI chose this quotation because I feel it is a very good way to introduce a character, letting the reader have the first image of them smiling. It is very realistic too, so it is really making us imagine Oak looking at us smiling.
"I hate to be thought men's propierty in that way - though possibly I shall be had some day."
ReplyDeleteI chose this quotation, which can be found in the 4th chapter said by Bathsheba, because to me it represents the place of women in the society at Hardy's time. Also, it shows quite well how untamed Bathsheba is and how much she values her freedom.
I chose a quote from chapter 4, which reads: "That's unfortunate," said Farmer Oak contemplating a crack in the stone floor with sorrow" just after the ant of Bathsheba tells Oak that she must already have a sweetheart. I found this line very powerful. Hardy often uses the environment to describes the feelings of a character. Here, it is very strong: it is not merely a hint on Oak's sentiment that is given to us by the narrator. It's Oak himself who notices this crack on the floor. It is an imagery to Oak's heart. He was closed to women, his heart like a stone. But this is a painful reminder that even the most solid stone can be cracked. Bathsheba won the heart, made it her home, and then broke it. But the last part of the quote is also very important. Oak is filled with sorrow at this point, a word that I do not think is strong enough to describe his feelings after he talked to Bathsheba. We are therefore shown that Bathsheba's running after Oak, and their discussion, was not good for Oak.
ReplyDeleteI find this simile original and well-chosen too. Even though you think it isn't so important, I think that it really develops Bathsheba's character. As you said, it illustrates her reluctance to Gabriel's proposal and reflects the woman's feelings (I totally agree with you). According to me, some similes and metaphors like that one are significant and useful at the beginning of a book to portray the characters and their relationships.
ReplyDelete"Gabriel was paler now. (...) He had passed through an ordeal of wretchedness which had given him more than it had taken away."
ReplyDeleteI really liked this quotation, since it clearly exposes how the fact of losing all his property has affected Gabriel. We can see that, even though he is totally ruined and has to start all over again, this misfortune has not overwhelmed nor depressed him, but has made him gain in maturity and strenght. This represents a clear shift in this character's personality and strengthens the idea of stability and calm conveyed by his name.
I completely agree with you when you say that there's a shift that indicates more maturity and strength in Oak. Indeed he keeps these qualities throughout the novel, and thanks to them he becomes the counsellor and confidant of Bathsheba. As you said, this quotation accentuates the positive associations we already had with his name, and it seems that his character develops towards a stable (and maybe down-to-earth?) character.
Delete^ChapterVI^
ReplyDelete“Oak was an intensely humane man : indeed, his humanity often tore in pieces any politic intentions of his which bordered on strategy, and carried him on as by gravitation”. (Chapter 5, page 41)
ReplyDeleteI chosed this quotation because I found it represents Gabriel very well. Indeed Gabriel is a rural character full of spontaneity but lacking “strategy”. The strategy presented here is the ambition of Oak for his future and thus it is possible that this passage shows how hard for him it is going to be to rebuild his life. However strategy is here depicted as something in strong opposition with Gabriel’s humanity and it brings the idea that planning something and being spontaneous cannot coexist. Moreover, this strategy is a concept associated with the city (indeed strategos were members of the executive power of Greek cities) as politic is and thus it reinforces Hardy’s view of the city as perverted while the countryside represents the values he shares. The intensity of his humanity carries his “as by gravitation” and this similie is very well chosen by the fact that it can associate Gabriel to a star and also reinforces this idea of spontaneity because gravitation is a scientific principle that cannot be altered.
I chose a quote from chapter 7, page 54 (of the Oxford World's Classics edition) which is about the mysterious woman whom we learn later to be Fanny Robin. It says that her wrist « was beating with a throb of tragic intensity » and that Gabriel « had frequently felt the same quick hard beat in the femoral artery of his lambs when overdriven. ». The reason I chose it is because it really develops the mystery existing already around this strange figure here depicted as a creature, thus enhancing the reader's pity. It is the first time the reader is introduced to the harshness of the rural world with the depiction of a weak and trepidating woman of animal fragility who seems to be left out of this spirit of community existing there. Again we can find features of Hardy's narrative voice like the descriptions and precise scientific elements like here the « femoral artery » making the description more vivid. This is reinforced by a [t] and a [θ] alliteration that increases the rhythm making the reader almost hear this fragile sound of heartbeat. Yet, we can feel a connection to Oak as he is mentionned through the description of the woman. I that because he has himself been rejected (at the fair...) or just to show his great virtues and ability to feel compassion ? We can maybe find a bit of foreshadowing as all of Oak's flock has died, which brings to this tragic description a negative, almost macabre association.
ReplyDelete"Thank God I am not married: what would she(in italic) have done in the poverty now coming upon me!" - Chapter V (Gabriel has lost his sheep and Bathsheba has left earlier)
ReplyDeleteThis sentence is very surprising since Gabriel has lost everything he had, but he still thinks about Bathseba. He doesn't self-pity at any point which shows how modest he is. We also understand his view of Bathsheba. He really wanted to make her happy and wasn't expecting any love from her because he knows that she couldn't tolerate poverty. The word "she" is in italic and we instantly know that it is Bathsheba. Even now that she is gone, she is still very important for him.
Yes, you are totally right! I had found this sentence also quite surprising because of the context Gabriel is going through. The image he creates of Bathsheba is kind of mixed we see that he likes her a lot but also we see that she really didn't really care about him ( at least we think so at that moment)
DeleteThe quotation I chose is "No man likes to see his emotions the sport of a merry-go-round of skittishness." (Very end of chapter IV). This is one of my favourite sentences of the first instalments because of the imagery and the "truth" brought up in it. First about the metaphor of the merry-go-round of skittishness, giving this very quick and fickle idea about Gabriel's feelings first with the merry-go-round that goes in circles very fast and then with the word "skittishness" that emphasises the idea of rush and uncertainty. Then about what is actually pointed out in this sentence, it is very true that nobody (men and women) likes to go through an emotional roller coaster. Although Oak has put himself in this situation we can see at this point of the story that he is already feeling something for Bathsheba even if he is not in love with her he has been struck at first site and is very attracted by her. To sum up this quotation was very evocative to me because I always understand better with imagery and I found it striking because it puts Bathsheba in an even higher position over Oak at this point in the book.
ReplyDelete« Having for some time known the want for a satisfactory form to fill an increasing void within him, his position moreover affording the widest scope for his fancy, he painted her a beauty. » (chapter 2, p 20)
ReplyDeleteI like the ideas that are explored in this quotation. Firstly we have the theme of desire, with the very visual image of a sentimental void that longs to be filled. The structure of the sentence itself, with a delayed syntactic closure, conveys the idea of yearning as the long clauses are building up the reader’s expectation to the striking last words. This longing unleashes Gabriel’s imagination and stirs his fondness for Bathsheba eventhough he barely spoke to her once, as if the idea of her was even more compelling than her actual character. Hence expression « painted her a beauty » is particularly evocative ; we can picture Gabriel slowly applying on this rather intriguing woman what he would like her to be. This is an important pattern in the novel, as other male characters also use Bathsheba as a projection screen for their own fancies, especially Boldwood.
"A cheerful soul in a gloomy body" is a quotation that would seem of no consequence next to a lot of the quotations already posted but it is one that I directly noticed on my first reading of the book. I sometimes think that the human nature is paradoxical and this is a perfect example of it, there can be a child's attitude in an old man's body or even a gloomy soul in a happy body.
ReplyDeleteThis extract is perfect to illustrate the rustics from "Far From The Madding Crowd" (since they are drunk most of the time, but their bodies are broken from all their physical work) and it is especially well used in its chapter, chapter 8, The malthouse: the chat: news
"I shall be up before you are awake, I shall be afield before you are up and I shall have breakfast before you are afield. In short I shall astonish you all."
ReplyDeleteThis quotation struck me the first time I read the book, because it's a perfect illustration of how Bathsheba constantly fights to be independent and to earn everyone's respect. It also relates to the issue of gender at this time, and this quotation makes me admire Bathsheba for how she would do whatever it takes to earn the same respect as a man would for doing the same job in a mediocre way.
I chose "It is rarely that the pleasures of the imagination will compensate for the pain of sleeplessness [...]" in chapter VIII. I chose this quote because it allows the reader to learn Gabriel's thoughts while he watches Bathsheba and ponders on the differences of seeing and possessing. It's all very philosophical really, and shows Gabriel's lust for Bathsheba even after she refused his proposal, but it also shows that he is true to his word as he doesn't propose again. Also it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that the quotations that strike me the most are often not actually that significant, and I have chosen one of these very quotes here: "[Gabriel] liked saying "Bathsheba" as a private enjoyment instead of whistling, [and] turned over his taste to black hair, though he had sworn by brown ever since he was a boy" (Chapter 4, page 29).
ReplyDeleteAlthough it may not respresent a particular theme or one of Hardy's strong ideas he often slips into the story, I thought this quote was a way of showing simply how completely and utterly possessed Gabriel's mind is by the image of Bathsheba. It is also one of the rare references to the past in this novel, where we get a fragment of information about Gabriel's childhood, which, in my opinion, creates a paradox with what we see of Oak in the present: the narrator seems to be saying that Oak already had tastes concerning women, thus implying he noticed them, paid attention to them, when he was younger; and yet, it also seems certain that Gabriel's reaction to Bathsheba is so intense and tactless that I would be surprised to hear that he had had courtly experiences in the past. I therefore believe the things we hear about the past in the quote don't really fit what we see of Oak in the present...
Although we had noticed that Gabriel was completely obsessed with Bathsheba, I wouldn't have imagined him saying her name as a "private enjoyment", which I also found original; his reaction seems almost childish, and once again confims this naïve beginner's approach to love that Oak has, which, unfortunately will not work on someone like Bathsheba.
I chose a quotation from Chapter VIII of the book, 'The malthouse' (p.65 to be precise). In this particular passage the rustics are discussing Bathsheba's father, and specifically his extremely pious later life. Joseph Poorgrass, supposedly the most timid and god-fearing of the workers, mentions that 'he would box the charity-boys' ears, if they laughed in church, till they could hardly stand upright, and do other deeds of piety natural to the saintly inclined.'
ReplyDeleteI think the irony in this statement is fairly clear; that boxing anyone's ears until they can hardly stand upright should be considered in any circumstance a 'deed of piety', is rather a mystery to me. I appreciate the humour of the comment, which helps characterise Poorgrass and becomes even funnier looking back when we know how hypocritical he is. But that's not the only reason I chose it: for me this quote represents the rustics as a whole. It shows the blind and often misguided or twisted faith in God that Hardy finds fault in them for, and the simplicity and inability to reason or to see their own flaws which he believes they possess. Still, the comic element makes for a softer criticism than he could have used, and shows that he does have some fondness for the rustics. This is a kind of gentle mockery that he uses throughout the book, and I find that this quote sums it up nicely.
Oak : " But I love you - and as for myself, I am content to be liked"
ReplyDeleteI choose this quote because it shows the first definition of love in the novel and we can see that it's not the equal love we could have expect. indeed Gabriel loves her so much, she took a so important place in his heart in so many time that just to be with her, he would be content to be liked not loved. This sentence stroke me because she had just reject him and he does not give up he keeps going and trying to persuade her that love isn't finelly what's matter and I think it is pity when you need to convince someone like that. Moreover I thought it was very close to the reality of the time.
*struck
Delete*rejected
*finally
*expected
ReplyDelete"Love is a possible strength in an actual weakness. Marriage transforms a distraction into a support the power of which should be, and happily often is, in direct proportion to the degree of imbecility it supplants."
ReplyDeleteChapter 4 second paragraph 2
In short, love can sometimes turns people's weaknesses into strengths. For example, if you're a greedy person might turn into a super generous one and buy lots of nice things for your sweetheart. A greedy person would take their distraction (an appreciation of the value of money and nice things) and turn it into a support (sharing money and nice things with your beloved). Love makes horrible people into awesome people.
"[...] and between them hung Orion which gorgeous constellation never burnt more vividly than now" -chapter 2
ReplyDeleteI really liked this quotations because it's very representative of Hardy's style with the description of the sky. Moreover, we can see that each time a big event is going to take place (in this case Oak seeing Bathsheba for the second time) the sky and the weather change.
Orion is an ancient constellation with the particularity that we can see it from the 2 hemispheres . Perhaps it can be relate witth the universality of love and it can foreshadow what happens next.
I really think your quotation choice was interesting. All along the novel, the environment and natural settings have a major importance. The sky usually sets the mood for the chapter (for exemple in chapter 8 when it's dark or when it's snowing, we can definitely notice parallels between the sky and a few characters). Nice job interpreting the quote too!
Delete"It is safer to accept any chance that offers itself, and extemporise a procedure to fit in, than to get a good plan matured, and wait for a chance of using it." Chapter 6
ReplyDeleteI chose this quotation because I believe it sums up really well Gabriel's state of mind. He's not an overthinker and acts quite randomly at times. The theme of destiny is also evoked, and it has a major importance in the novel. Moreover, I think this sentence can be used several times in the novel, for randomness and chance have a lot to do with the plot's development.