Jude the Obscure: Part 6, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Meanwhile Arabella comes to Jude’s lodgings, telling him that her father has kicked her out and she has no money or shelter. Jude is unable to be cruel to her, so he takes her in and his landlord lets her stay in the attic. Arabella tells Jude that Sue went through with her marriage to Phillotson. A few days later Jude is still depressed, and Arabella offers to go visit Anny at Alfredston and get any news about Sue.

Arabella goes and returns that same day, practicing making dimples on the train ride. She tells Jude that Sue went through with the marriage, though part of her seemed against it. Arabella admits to a similar feeling to Sue’s – Arabella says she feels like she is still Jude’s wife. Jude brushes this off, but then he goes to a tavern for the first time in many months.

Jude stays out late, and Arabella goes to her father’s house and tells him to leave the door unlocked that night, as she has a chance to win Jude back again. Arabella then finds Jude drunk at a tavern, and she buys him more drinks. Jude laments his loss of Sue, and says that no one understands him like she did, though she has now ruined his soul to save her own. Arabella takes the drunk Jude back to her father’s house and leads him upstairs.