Summary
Phillotson watches Sue with growing fascination as she settles into her teaching role. What started as professional appreciation deepens into something more personal—he finds himself thinking about her rather than the lessons they share. Sue proves herself brilliant, sketching Jerusalem from memory after barely glancing at the model, but she's also vulnerable, nearly fainting when the school inspector arrives unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Jude eagerly anticipates his Friday visit, walking restlessly in Sue's direction on previous nights, unable to concentrate on his studies. But when he finally arrives, he witnesses a devastating scene: Sue and Phillotson walking together under an umbrella, the older man's arm around her waist. Though she initially removes it, she allows it to remain, glancing around nervously. Jude hides in the hedge, crushed by the realization that his beloved cousin is becoming romantically involved with a man twenty years her senior. The cruel irony isn't lost on him—he brought them together in the first place. This chapter reveals how quickly workplace relationships can shift into something deeper, especially when one person holds power over another. Sue's brilliance makes her valuable to Phillotson professionally, but her vulnerability makes her appealing personally. The umbrella scene becomes a perfect metaphor for protection that comes with strings attached—Phillotson offers shelter, but expects intimacy in return. For Jude, this moment represents the gap between his dreams and reality, watching his chance at happiness slip away through circumstances he helped create.
Coming Up in Chapter 17
Jude visits his bitter aunt at Marygreen, fighting the urge to detour to Sue's village. Sometimes the people who raised us hold keys to understanding our patterns—but those conversations rarely go as we hope.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The schoolmaster sat in his homely dwelling attached to the school, both being modern erections; and he looked across the way at the old house in which his teacher Sue had a lodging. The arrangement had been concluded very quickly. A pupil-teacher who was to have been transferred to Mr. Phillotson’s school had failed him, and Sue had been taken as stop-gap. All such provisional arrangements as these could only last till the next annual visit of H.M. Inspector, whose approval was necessary to make them permanent. Having taught for some two years in London, though she had abandoned that vocation of late, Miss Bridehead was not exactly a novice, and Phillotson thought there would be no difficulty in retaining her services, which he already wished to do, though she had only been with him three or four weeks. He had found her quite as bright as Jude had described her; and what master-tradesman does not wish to keep an apprentice who saves him half his labour? It was a little over half-past eight o’clock in the morning and he was waiting to see her cross the road to the school, when he would follow. At twenty minutes to nine she did cross, a light hat tossed on her head; and he watched her as a curiosity. A new emanation, which had nothing to do with her skill as a teacher, seemed to surround her this morning. He went to the school also, and Sue remained governing her class at the other end of the room, all day under his eye. She certainly was an excellent teacher. It was part of his duty to give her private lessons in the evening, and some article in the Code made it necessary that a respectable, elderly woman should be present at these lessons when the teacher and the taught were of different sexes. Richard Phillotson thought of the absurdity of the regulation in this case, when he was old enough to be the girl’s father; but he faithfully acted up to it; and sat down with her in a room where Mrs. Hawes, the widow at whose house Sue lodged, occupied herself with sewing. The regulation was, indeed, not easy to evade, for there was no other sitting-room in the dwelling. Sometimes as she figured—it was arithmetic that they were working at—she would involuntarily glance up with a little inquiring smile at him, as if she assumed that, being the master, he must perceive all that was passing in her brain, as right or wrong. Phillotson was not really thinking of the arithmetic at all, but of her, in a novel way which somehow seemed strange to him as preceptor. Perhaps she knew that he was thinking of her thus. For a few weeks their work had gone on with a monotony which in itself was a delight to him. Then it happened that the children were to be taken to Christminster to see an itinerant exhibition, in the shape of a...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Workplace Romance - When Professional Becomes Personal
When someone in professional authority gradually shifts the relationship from work-focused to personally intimate, using their power as leverage.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when someone in authority uses their position to blur professional and personal boundaries.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when supervisors or mentors offer career help that comes with expectations of personal gratitude or private meetings outside normal work contexts.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Pupil-teacher
A system where bright students taught younger children while continuing their own education. It was common in Victorian schools when qualified teachers were scarce. These apprentice teachers often worked for very low pay.
Modern Usage:
Like teaching assistants or substitute teachers who fill gaps in understaffed schools today.
H.M. Inspector
Her Majesty's Inspector - government officials who visited schools to check standards and approve teachers. Their approval could make or break a teacher's career. Schools lived in fear of these surprise visits.
Modern Usage:
Similar to state education inspectors or accreditation visits that can shut down schools or programs.
Master-tradesman and apprentice
The traditional system where experienced craftsmen trained newcomers. Hardy uses this metaphor to show how Phillotson sees Sue as useful labor, not just a colleague.
Modern Usage:
Like mentorship programs, except when the mentor starts seeing personal benefits beyond just teaching skills.
Emanation
An invisible quality or aura that seems to radiate from someone. Phillotson notices Sue has a new energy about her that has nothing to do with her teaching ability.
Modern Usage:
When someone has that special glow or presence that makes you notice them differently - often the start of attraction.
Governess
A woman who taught children in private homes or schools. The term suggests authority over students but also vulnerability in employment - dependent on pleasing employers.
Modern Usage:
Like any job where you're skilled but still at the mercy of your boss's personal feelings about you.
Provisional arrangement
A temporary work situation that could become permanent with official approval. Sue's job security depends entirely on the inspector's visit and Phillotson's recommendation.
Modern Usage:
Like probationary periods, temp-to-hire positions, or any job where you're proving yourself to stay.
Characters in This Chapter
Phillotson
Authority figure with growing personal interest
The schoolmaster who hired Sue as a temporary teacher. He starts the chapter appreciating her professional skills but becomes personally fascinated with her. His position gives him power over her job security.
Modern Equivalent:
The older boss who starts noticing his young employee as more than just a worker
Sue Bridehead
Talented but vulnerable employee
Proves herself brilliant at teaching, sketching Jerusalem from memory with remarkable skill. But she's also fragile, nearly fainting when the inspector arrives, showing how precarious her position really is.
Modern Equivalent:
The gifted new hire who's great at the job but stressed about job security
Jude
Heartbroken observer
Spends the week restlessly anticipating his Friday visit to Sue, unable to focus on his studies. When he finally arrives, he witnesses Sue and Phillotson together intimately, crushing his romantic hopes.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who realizes too late that someone else got there first
Key Quotes & Analysis
"What master-tradesman does not wish to keep an apprentice who saves him half his labour?"
Context: Describing why Phillotson wants to keep Sue as his assistant teacher
This reveals how Phillotson initially sees Sue as valuable labor rather than a person. The metaphor reduces her to a useful tool, showing the power imbalance in their relationship.
In Today's Words:
What boss wouldn't want to keep an employee who makes their job twice as easy?
"A new emanation, which had nothing to do with her skill as a teacher, seemed to surround her this morning."
Context: Phillotson watching Sue cross the street to school
This marks the moment Phillotson's feelings shift from professional to personal. He's noticing her as a woman, not just an employee, which changes everything about their dynamic.
In Today's Words:
There was something different about her today that had nothing to do with work.
"Though she had removed it once, she did not remove it again, and Jude was left to wonder if she was as independent as she had seemed."
Context: Jude watching Sue allow Phillotson's arm around her waist under the umbrella
This moment shatters Jude's image of Sue as completely free-spirited. He realizes she might accept intimacy she doesn't want because of her vulnerable position.
In Today's Words:
She pushed him away once but then gave up, and he wondered if she really had as much choice as he'd thought.
Thematic Threads
Power Dynamics
In This Chapter
Phillotson uses his position as Sue's supervisor to gradually introduce physical intimacy, knowing she can't easily refuse
Development
Building from earlier themes of class barriers, now showing how power operates in professional relationships
In Your Life:
You might see this when a boss, landlord, or supervisor starts mixing personal interest with professional authority over you.
Vulnerability
In This Chapter
Sue's near-fainting during the inspection reveals how precarious her position really is, making Phillotson's protection appealing
Development
Expanding from Sue's earlier financial dependence to show how professional vulnerability creates personal risk
In Your Life:
Your job insecurity or financial stress might make you more susceptible to accepting inappropriate attention from those who could help.
Unintended Consequences
In This Chapter
Jude realizes his innocent act of bringing Sue and Phillotson together has created the very situation that destroys his own hopes
Development
Continuing Jude's pattern of well-intentioned actions backfiring spectacularly
In Your Life:
You might find that helping someone connect with opportunities or people sometimes works against your own interests.
Observation vs Action
In This Chapter
Jude hides in the hedge watching Sue with Phillotson instead of declaring his own feelings or intervening
Development
Reinforcing Jude's tendency to be passive observer rather than active participant in his own life
In Your Life:
You might find yourself watching situations unfold that hurt you instead of speaking up or taking action to change them.
Protection with Strings
In This Chapter
The umbrella scene shows how Phillotson's offer of shelter comes with expectations of physical intimacy
Development
New theme exploring how help and protection often come with hidden costs
In Your Life:
You might encounter offers of help—financial, professional, or personal—that seem generous but come with uncomfortable expectations.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific changes do you notice in Phillotson's behavior toward Sue from the beginning to the end of this chapter?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Sue allow Phillotson's arm to remain around her waist after initially removing it, and what does this tell us about her situation?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen similar power dynamics play out in modern workplaces, schools, or other settings?
application • medium - 4
If you were Sue's friend and witnessed this umbrella scene, what advice would you give her about protecting herself while keeping her job?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how people in power can gradually shift professional relationships into personal territory?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Power Dynamic
Create a simple chart showing what Phillotson offers Sue versus what he expects in return. Then list three warning signs that a professional relationship is becoming inappropriately personal. Finally, write down two specific strategies Sue could use to maintain boundaries while protecting her job security.
Consider:
- •Consider how financial dependence affects someone's ability to say no
- •Think about the difference between genuine mentorship and manipulation
- •Notice how gradual boundary-pushing makes it harder to object to each individual step
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone in authority over you made you uncomfortable by mixing professional and personal attention. How did you handle it, and what would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 17: Dreams Shattered by Reality's Cold Light
The coming pages reveal class barriers can crush even the most determined dreams, and teach us seeking validation from gatekeepers often leads to disappointment. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.