54 pages 1 hour read

Thomas Hardy

Jude the Obscure

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1895

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Part 1Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “At Marygreen”

Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Content Warning: These sections reference, though not extensively or in great detail, the murder of a child, suicide by a child, suicide attempts and contemplation of suicide, miscarriage, and instances of sexual coercion.

Richard Phillotson, the schoolmaster of Marygreen, prepares to depart for university in Christminster. As locals assist him in packing his belongings, a dilemma arises regarding Phillotson’s piano. Eleven-year-old Jude Fawley, one of his students, offers to store it in his great aunt’s fuel house until Phillotson can arrange for its transport. Moved by Jude’s kindness and studious nature, Phillotson gives Jude a book as a parting gesture.

Phillotson invites Jude to visit should the boy ever find himself in Christminster. As Jude goes to fetch water from the well, he reflects on Phillotson’s departure, only to be met with a stern scolding from his great aunt for lingering too long. Struggling to carry the heavy buckets through Marygreen, Jude observes the changes in the town’s structures over time, noting the scarcity of original buildings amidst the rebuilt ones.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 54 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools