Summary
On a dreary February Sunday, Bathsheba finds herself restless and seeking entertainment with her maid Liddy. What starts as innocent fortune-telling with a Bible and key quickly escalates into something far more dangerous. When Bathsheba mentions buying a valentine for young Teddy Coggan, Liddy plants a mischievous seed: why not send it to the serious, wealthy farmer Boldwood instead? Bathsheba is particularly bothered by Boldwood because he's the one man in the parish who doesn't pay her any attention. While everyone else notices her beauty, he remains indifferent, and this bruises her ego more than she cares to admit. In a moment of pure impulse, she decides to flip a hymn book to determine the valentine's recipient. When it lands shut (meaning Boldwood), she goes through with the prank, addressing the romantic card to him. The final twist comes when she discovers the wax seal bears the words 'MARRY ME.' What began as idle Sunday afternoon entertainment has now become a declaration she never intended to make. Hardy emphasizes how 'very idly and unreflectingly' this deed was done, noting that while Bathsheba understands love as a spectacle she observes in others, she knows nothing of love as a personal experience. This chapter perfectly captures how our need for validation and attention can lead us to make choices that spiral beyond our control, especially when we're bored and influenced by others who don't fully grasp the consequences.
Coming Up in Chapter 14
The valentine reaches Boldwood, and Hardy shows us exactly how this seemingly innocent prank will shatter the quiet farmer's carefully ordered world. The effect is immediate and profound.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
SORTES SANCTORUM—THE VALENTINE It was Sunday afternoon in the farmhouse, on the thirteenth of February. Dinner being over, Bathsheba, for want of a better companion, had asked Liddy to come and sit with her. The mouldy pile was dreary in winter-time before the candles were lighted and the shutters closed; the atmosphere of the place seemed as old as the walls; every nook behind the furniture had a temperature of its own, for the fire was not kindled in this part of the house early in the day; and Bathsheba’s new piano, which was an old one in other annals, looked particularly sloping and out of level on the warped floor before night threw a shade over its less prominent angles and hid the unpleasantness. Liddy, like a little brook, though shallow, was always rippling; her presence had not so much weight as to task thought, and yet enough to exercise it. On the table lay an old quarto Bible, bound in leather. Liddy looking at it said,— “Did you ever find out, miss, who you are going to marry by means of the Bible and key?” “Don’t be so foolish, Liddy. As if such things could be.” “Well, there’s a good deal in it, all the same.” “Nonsense, child.” “And it makes your heart beat fearful. Some believe in it; some don’t; I do.” “Very well, let’s try it,” said Bathsheba, bounding from her seat with that total disregard of consistency which can be indulged in towards a dependent, and entering into the spirit of divination at once. “Go and get the front door key.” Liddy fetched it. “I wish it wasn’t Sunday,” she said, on returning. “Perhaps ’tis wrong.” “What’s right week days is right Sundays,” replied her mistress in a tone which was a proof in itself. The book was opened—the leaves, drab with age, being quite worn away at much-read verses by the forefingers of unpractised readers in former days, where they were moved along under the line as an aid to the vision. The special verse in the Book of Ruth was sought out by Bathsheba, and the sublime words met her eye. They slightly thrilled and abashed her. It was Wisdom in the abstract facing Folly in the concrete. Folly in the concrete blushed, persisted in her intention, and placed the key on the book. A rusty patch immediately upon the verse, caused by previous pressure of an iron substance thereon, told that this was not the first time the old volume had been used for the purpose. “Now keep steady, and be silent,” said Bathsheba. The verse was repeated; the book turned round; Bathsheba blushed guiltily. “Who did you try?” said Liddy curiously. “I shall not tell you.” “Did you notice Mr. Boldwood’s doings in church this morning, miss?” Liddy continued, adumbrating by the remark the track her thoughts had taken. “No, indeed,” said Bathsheba, with serene indifference. “His pew is exactly opposite yours, miss.” “I know it.” “And you did not see...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Ego-Driven Choices
When wounded pride drives us to seek attention from those who ignore us, creating unintended consequences that spiral beyond our control.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches us to recognize when wounded pride is masquerading as confidence or justified action.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's indifference bothers you more than it should—that's your signal to examine what you're really trying to prove before you act on it.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Sortes Sanctorum
A form of fortune-telling using the Bible, where you ask a question and randomly open to a page for an answer. It was considered both superstitious and mildly blasphemous by proper Victorian society, but still widely practiced in private.
Modern Usage:
Like asking Siri random questions when you're bored, or using social media polls to make decisions you should probably think through yourself.
Valentine's Day customs
In Victorian times, sending anonymous valentines was a popular romantic game, but it carried real social weight. Unlike today's casual cards, these were serious romantic declarations that could start courtships or cause scandals.
Modern Usage:
Similar to sliding into someone's DMs or sending flirty texts - seems harmless until the other person takes it seriously.
Landed gentry
Wealthy landowners who didn't work for wages but lived off property income. They held high social status and were considered prime marriage material for ambitious women seeking financial security.
Modern Usage:
Think successful business owners, real estate investors, or anyone with 'old money' who doesn't punch a time clock but still has serious influence in the community.
Domestic hierarchy
The strict social order within Victorian households, where servants knew their place and employers maintained authority. However, personal relationships often complicated these formal boundaries.
Modern Usage:
Like the unspoken dynamics between managers and employees, or how we act differently around our boss versus our work friends.
Feminine vanity
Victorian society both encouraged women to be beautiful and then criticized them for caring about their appearance. Women were expected to be naturally lovely without seeming to try or seek attention.
Modern Usage:
The modern expectation to look effortlessly perfect on social media while pretending you don't care about likes and comments.
Impulse and consequence
Hardy frequently shows how small, thoughtless actions can have enormous life-changing results. Characters act 'unreflectingly' and then must live with outcomes they never intended.
Modern Usage:
Like posting something online when you're emotional, or texting an ex when you're lonely - small actions that can blow up your whole life.
Characters in This Chapter
Bathsheba Everdene
Protagonist
She's restless and bored, seeking entertainment on a dreary Sunday. Her vanity is wounded by Boldwood's indifference to her beauty, leading her to make an impulsive decision that will change everything. She acts without considering consequences.
Modern Equivalent:
The confident woman who can't stand being ignored by one guy when everyone else notices her
Liddy Smallbury
Enabler/companion
Bathsheba's maid who suggests the fortune-telling and plants the idea of sending the valentine to Boldwood. She's described as shallow but entertaining, providing companionship without deep thought. Her mischievous suggestion sets the plot in motion.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who always has wild ideas and encourages you to do things you probably shouldn't
Farmer Boldwood
Unwitting target
The serious, wealthy farmer who doesn't pay attention to Bathsheba's beauty, which bothers her more than she admits. He becomes the recipient of her impulsive valentine, though he doesn't appear directly in this chapter.
Modern Equivalent:
The successful, serious guy who doesn't seem interested in dating games or social media attention
Teddy Coggan
Original valentine recipient
The young man Bathsheba originally intended to send the valentine to as a harmless gesture. He represents the safe, predictable choice that gets abandoned for something more dangerous.
Modern Equivalent:
The nice guy friend you could safely flirt with without any real consequences
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Very well, let's try it"
Context: When Liddy suggests using the Bible for fortune-telling
This shows Bathsheba's impulsive nature and willingness to abandon her principles when bored. She dismisses the superstition as nonsense, then immediately agrees to try it, revealing her inconsistency and need for entertainment.
In Today's Words:
Fine, whatever, let's do it - I'm bored anyway.
"The only man in the parish who doesn't notice me"
Context: Explaining why Boldwood bothers her
This reveals Bathsheba's vanity and need for male attention. She's not interested in Boldwood romantically, but his indifference wounds her pride. This wounded vanity drives her dangerous decision.
In Today's Words:
He's literally the only guy who doesn't pay attention to me and it's driving me crazy.
"MARRY ME"
Context: The words on the valentine's wax seal
Hardy emphasizes the irony - what started as a harmless prank becomes an accidental marriage proposal. The capitalized words show the weight of this unintended message that will have serious consequences.
In Today's Words:
The universe just played the ultimate prank on her.
"The deed was done very idly and unreflectingly"
Context: Describing how Bathsheba sent the valentine
Hardy's key theme about how thoughtless actions can change everything. The word 'unreflectingly' emphasizes that Bathsheba didn't consider consequences, setting up the tragedy that follows from this moment of boredom.
In Today's Words:
She did it without thinking it through at all.
Thematic Threads
Pride
In This Chapter
Bathsheba's ego is wounded by Boldwood's indifference to her beauty when all other men notice her
Development
Building from earlier chapters where her vanity was more innocent—now it drives destructive choices
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when someone's lack of attention bothers you more than it should, leading to attention-seeking behavior
Impulse
In This Chapter
Bathsheba makes the valentine decision 'very idly and unreflectingly,' using a hymn book flip to justify impulsive action
Development
Introduced here as a key character flaw that will likely create future problems
In Your Life:
You see this when you make quick decisions to solve emotional problems without thinking through the consequences
Social Influence
In This Chapter
Liddy plants the mischievous idea of sending the valentine to Boldwood, enabling Bathsheba's poor choice
Development
Continues the theme of how others shape our decisions, often without understanding the full impact
In Your Life:
This appears when friends or coworkers suggest 'harmless' actions that align with your worst impulses
Unintended Consequences
In This Chapter
The valentine's wax seal reads 'MARRY ME,' turning a prank into an accidental marriage proposal
Development
Introduced here as a warning about how small actions can have massive implications
In Your Life:
You experience this when a text, email, or comment you meant as minor creates major relationship drama
Emotional Inexperience
In This Chapter
Hardy notes Bathsheba understands love as a spectacle in others but has no personal experience with it
Development
Deepens our understanding of why she makes such poor romantic choices
In Your Life:
This shows up when you think you understand situations you've only observed, not lived through yourself
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific actions led Bathsheba from innocent Sunday entertainment to sending a valentine with 'MARRY ME' on it?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Boldwood's indifference bother Bathsheba more than if he actively disliked her?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today making impulsive decisions because someone doesn't give them the attention they expect?
application • medium - 4
If you were Bathsheba's friend and saw her getting worked up about Boldwood ignoring her, what would you say to help her see the situation differently?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how our need for validation can override our common sense?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Validation Triggers
Think of a recent time when someone's lack of response or attention bothered you more than it should have. Write down what happened, why their opinion mattered to you, and what you did (or wanted to do) to get their attention. Then analyze: was your reaction proportional to the actual situation?
Consider:
- •Notice if certain types of people (authority figures, attractive people, successful peers) trigger this response more than others
- •Consider whether you were seeking validation for something you already felt insecure about
- •Examine if your response created more problems than the original slight
Journaling Prompt
Write about someone whose opinion of you matters more than it should. What would change in your life if you cared less about what they think?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 14: When Obsession Takes Root
Moving forward, we'll examine small gestures can trigger disproportionate emotional responses, and understand isolation amplifies romantic fantasies beyond reality. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.