Summary: Chapter XXXIX
The narrator shifts back to the moments following the
wrestling match between Henchard and Farfrae. After Farfrae descends
from the loft, Abel Whittle delivers a note to Farfrae requesting
his presence in Weatherbury. The note has been sent by some of Farfrae’s workers
who hope to get Farfrae out of town in order to lessen the damaging
impact of the “skimmity-ride.” After Farfrae departs for Weatherbury,
Lucetta hears commotion in the distance. Outside her window, she
overhears two maids describe the proceedings: two figures are sitting
back to back on a donkey that is being paraded through the streets
of Casterbridge. Just as Elizabeth-Jane enters the room and tries
to close the shutters, Lucetta realizes that the figures are meant
to represent her and Henchard. She becomes hysterical and suffers
an epileptic seizure, fearing that her husband will see the spectacle.
Elizabeth-Jane calls the doctor, who recognizes the seriousness
of the situation and tells her to call immediately for Farfrae.
Summary: Chapter XL
Having observed the skimmity-ride, Henchard goes in search
of Elizabeth-Jane. Upon arriving at Farfrae’s house and learning
of Lucetta’s condition, Henchard explains that Farfrae must be found on
the way to a town called Weatherbury, not another town called Budmouth
as originally planned. Because no one believes him, he departs to
find Farfrae himself. Eventually, he comes upon Farfrae and urges
him to return to Casterbridge, but Farfrae distrusts him and refuses
to return. Henchard rides back to Casterbridge only to find that
Lucetta is no better. When he returns home, Joshua Jopp tells him
that a seaman of some sort called for him while he was out. Farfrae
finally returns and sends for another doctor, and Lucetta is much
calmed by her husband’s arrival. He sits with her through the night
as Henchard paces the streets, making inquiries about the patient’s
health. Early the next morning, a maid informs him that Lucetta
is dead.
Summary: Chapter XLI
After hearing of of Lucetta’s death, Henchard goes home
and is soon visited by Elizabeth-Jane. She falls asleep as Henchard
prepares her breakfast, and Henchard, not wanting to disturb her,
waits patiently for her to wake. Feeling a surge of love for Elizabeth-Jane, he
hopes that she will continue to treat him as her father. Just then, a
man knocks at the door and introduces himself as Newson. He says
that his marriage to Susan had been happy until someone suggested
to her that their relationship was a mockery; she then became miserable.
Newson adds that he let Susan believe that he was lost at sea. He
tells Henchard that he has heard of Susan’s death and asks about
Elizabeth-Jane. Henchard tells him that the girl is dead as well,
and Newson departs in sorrow.
Although it appears that Newson is gone, Henchard remains paranoid
that his deception will be discovered and that Newson will return
to take Elizabeth-Jane away from him. Elizabeth-Jane wakes, and
the two sit down to breakfast. When she leaves, however, he becomes
despondent, fearing that she will soon forget him. The rest of his
life seems unendurable to him, and he goes to the river just outside
of Casterbridge with thoughts of drowning himself. As he prepares
to throw himself into the water, he sees his image floating in the
pool and desists.
Henchard returns home and finds Elizabeth-Jane waiting
outside his door. She says she has come back because he seemed sad
that morning. He brings her to the river to show her the image,
and she realizes that it must be the effigy from the skimmity-ride.
Henchard remarks how strange it is that the performance that killed
Lucetta has actually kept him alive. Elizabeth-Jane realizes what
he means by this statement and asks if she can come to live with
him; he joyfully assents.
Summary: Chapter XLII
Henchard continues to fear Newson’s return, but, meanwhile,
he and Elizabeth-Jane live happily in his home. They see Farfrae
only occasionally, as Henchard now owns a small seed and root business that
Farfrae and other members of the town council purchased for him.
One day, Henchard observes Farfrae looking at Elizabeth-Jane and
begins to think of the possibility of their union. He is very much opposed
to the idea but decides he should let Elizabeth-Jane make her own
decision. As time passes, Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae begin to meet
more frequently. Eventually, Henchard obtains proof of their intimacy
when he sees Farfrae kiss Elizabeth-Jane.
