Far From the Madding Crowd: Chapter 53 Summary & Analysis

Outside Boldwood’s house, a few men are whispering about Troy being seen in Casterbridge that afternoon. One, Sam Samway, says that means mischief: he pities the girl. Another says such an independent, strong-willed woman should never have married him: it almost serves her right. But others disagree.

William Smallbury walks up to the group in the darkness and hears the tale. Laban Tall also arrives, and says they should keep quiet, as if it’s false it will unnecessarily worry Bathsheba, and if it’s true it won’t do any good to tell her in advance. She’s only ever been fair and true to him: another agrees that she never tells “women’s little lies.”

Boldwood can be seen walking down the path, and the men stand still: they can hear him speaking softly to himself, hoping to God that she’ll come. Suddenly Bathsheba does arrive, and he welcomes her as she apologizes for being late. As they go inside, one of the men remarks that he didn’t know it was like that between the two. Another says uneasily that they should have made the report, but it’s no use now.

Samway, Tall, and Smallbury go out to the gate, deciding to go to Warren’s instead of inside. As they approach the tavern, Smallbury points into the windowpane: Troy’s face peers in, listening to Gabriel and the maltster talking about Boldwood’s party and his love of Bathsheba. The men withdraw back to the house, and decide someone should alert Bathsheba. It’s decided that Tall will. He goes inside, but soon appears again, abashed, saying that the mood is somehow dispirited, and he hates to cast a further pall over it. Samway suggests they all go in together.

Inside, Bathsheba has resolved not to dance or sing, though it would have been unkind not to come at all. After an hour, she decides she can leave, and she goes into the parlor. But then Boldwood enters, saying he’s been meaning to speak to her: she knows perhaps why. Does she give the promise? he asks. She says she does feel she owes the promise, though she is unhappy. He adds that she’s beautiful, though this honest remark has little effect on her now. In a flat voice, she says she has no feeling at all on the subject, but she will give her promise as the rendering of a debt. He asks her to name the date. But she lashes out, saying she wants to be just without wronging herself, and that there’s still a shadow of doubt as to Troy’s death. Let her ask a solicitor, she begs him.

Boldwood, in turn, begs her to promise marriage after six years: he deserves it, for loving her more than anyone. Sobbing, Bathsheba asks him not to press her more if she agrees: he says yes, he’ll leave it to time. Solemnly, she says she’ll marry him in six years to the day. Boldwood asks her to wear the ring he draws out, but she exclaims that no one can know they are engaged—he must not insist, she says, stamping her foot. Quietly, now, he says it’s simply a pledge. She says it’s too wild a scheme: she can’t wear it. But finally she agrees to wear it only for that night. Boldwood leaves her alone.

Boldwood now gazes into the fire, when at once he notices a few concerned whispers from the working men. He asks what’s wrong, and orders Samway to tell him. Samway tells Tall he should alert Bathsheba now. Boldwood asks Bathsheba if she knows what they mean: she doesn’t. Then, a man at the door says a stranger is wanted for Mrs. Troy: he opens the door, and Troy stands in the doorway. In silence, those who had heard the news recognized him; no one else does. But Bathsheba grows pale and clutches the railing.

Boldwood doesn’t recognize Troy, and invites him in cheerily. Troy takes off his cap and looks Boldwood in the face: he begins to laugh mechanically, and Boldwood finally does recognize him. Troy turns to Bathsheba, who has sunk to the lowest stair, her eyes fixed vacantly on him, and says he’s come here for her: she must come home with him.

At first Bathsheba doesn’t move; when Troy repeats his order, Boldwood tells her to go with her husband. Still she doesn’t move: she is frozen in place, but shrinks back when Troy stretches out his hand. Irritated, he seizes her arm and she screams. Suddenly the oak partition shakes and the room fills with smoke. Everyone turns to Boldwood, who was standing in front of a gun case. When Bathsheba had cried out a Boldwood had seized one of the guns, cocked it, and shot at Troy, who fell. Troy sighs, contracts, and then lies still.

Boldwood, meanwhile, is trying to turn the gun on himself. Samway sees this, darts up to him, and manages to turn the gun so that it discharges into the ceiling. Boldwood gasps that there’s another way for him to die. He kisses Bathsheba’s hand, then opens the door and leaves.