Summary
Jude experiences a major shift in his life goals. He realizes his dream of becoming a bishop at Christminster was really about social status and personal ambition, not genuine faith or service. This painful self-awareness leads him to consider a humbler path: becoming a simple curate who serves poor communities rather than seeking academic glory. The catalyst for this change is a letter from Sue, who has enrolled at a teacher training college in Melchester. Though Jude tells himself he wants to study theology there, he's really following Sue. When he arrives in Melchester, he finds Sue changed by the strict discipline of her school—more subdued but still captivating. During their reunion, she drops devastating news: she's engaged to marry Mr. Phillotson after she graduates. She'll become a teacher and work alongside her much older former mentor in running a school. Jude is crushed but pretends to be supportive. Despite this heartbreak, he stays in Melchester, finding work restoring the cathedral and beginning serious theological study. He's choosing a path that combines his practical skills with spiritual purpose, even as his heart remains torn. This chapter shows how life rarely goes according to plan, and how we must constantly choose between what we want and what might actually be good for us. Jude is learning to find meaning in service rather than status, though his motivations remain tangled with his feelings for Sue.
Coming Up in Chapter 20
Sue mentions a 'grand day' coming up, hinting at some special occasion or outing. What could bring joy to their complicated situation, and how will Jude handle spending more time with his newly-engaged cousin?
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
T was a new idea—the ecclesiastical and altruistic life as distinct from the intellectual and emulative life. A man could preach and do good to his fellow-creatures without taking double-firsts in the schools of Christminster, or having anything but ordinary knowledge. The old fancy which had led on to the culminating vision of the bishopric had not been an ethical or theological enthusiasm at all, but a mundane ambition masquerading in a surplice. He feared that his whole scheme had degenerated to, even though it might not have originated in, a social unrest which had no foundation in the nobler instincts; which was purely an artificial product of civilization. There were thousands of young men on the same self-seeking track at the present moment. The sensual hind who ate, drank, and lived carelessly with his wife through the days of his vanity was a more likable being than he. But to enter the Church in such an unscholarly way that he could not in any probability rise to a higher grade through all his career than that of the humble curate wearing his life out in an obscure village or city slum—that might have a touch of goodness and greatness in it; that might be true religion, and a purgatorial course worthy of being followed by a remorseful man. The favourable light in which this new thought showed itself by contrast with his foregone intentions cheered Jude, as he sat there, shabby and lonely; and it may be said to have given, during the next few days, the _coup de grâce_ to his intellectual career—a career which had extended over the greater part of a dozen years. He did nothing, however, for some long stagnant time to advance his new desire, occupying himself with little local jobs in putting up and lettering headstones about the neighbouring villages, and submitting to be regarded as a social failure, a returned purchase, by the half-dozen or so of farmers and other country-people who condescended to nod to him. The human interest of the new intention—and a human interest is indispensable to the most spiritual and self-sacrificing—was created by a letter from Sue, bearing a fresh postmark. She evidently wrote with anxiety, and told very little about her own doings, more than that she had passed some sort of examination for a Queen’s Scholarship, and was going to enter a training college at Melchester to complete herself for the vocation she had chosen, partly by his influence. There was a theological college at Melchester; Melchester was a quiet and soothing place, almost entirely ecclesiastical in its tone; a spot where worldly learning and intellectual smartness had no establishment; where the altruistic feeling that he did possess would perhaps be more highly estimated than a brilliancy which he did not. As it would be necessary that he should continue for a time to work at his trade while reading up Divinity, which he had neglected at Christminster for the ordinary classical grind, what better course...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Redirected Dreams
When original ambitions fail, we pivot to related goals while creating noble explanations that mask our real motivations.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when we're telling ourselves noble stories to cover up our real motivations for big life changes.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you or someone close to you makes a sudden major decision—ask 'What's the story they're telling themselves, and what might they really be chasing?'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Curate
A junior clergyman who assists a parish priest, often poorly paid and stuck in humble positions. In Victorian England, becoming a curate was seen as the bottom rung of church hierarchy, far below bishops or even regular priests.
Modern Usage:
Like being an assistant manager who knows they'll probably never get promoted to store manager, but finds meaning in helping customers anyway.
Double-firsts
The highest academic honors at Oxford or Cambridge universities, showing exceptional scholarly achievement. This was the traditional path to high church positions and social status in Victorian society.
Modern Usage:
Like graduating summa cum laude from an Ivy League school - it opens doors that stay closed for everyone else.
Christminster
Hardy's fictional name for Oxford University, representing the pinnacle of English academic and social achievement. For working-class people like Jude, it symbolized an almost impossible dream of advancement.
Modern Usage:
Like Harvard or Stanford today - places that seem designed for people who already have money and connections.
Surplice
A white ceremonial robe worn by clergy during church services. Hardy uses it here to symbolize how religious ambition can disguise worldly desires for status and recognition.
Modern Usage:
Like wearing a suit to look professional when you're really just trying to impress people or climb the ladder.
Purgatorial course
A path of suffering and purification, like the Catholic concept of purgatory where souls are cleansed before heaven. Jude sees humble service as a way to atone for his selfish ambitions.
Modern Usage:
Like taking a lower-paying job in social work after realizing your corporate career was just about making money, not helping people.
Teacher training college
Victorian institutions that prepared young women to become elementary school teachers, often with strict rules and moral supervision. One of the few respectable career paths for women of Sue's class.
Modern Usage:
Like community college programs that train people for stable, respectable jobs - not glamorous, but a real path to independence.
Self-seeking track
The pursuit of personal advancement and social climbing rather than genuine service or moral purpose. Hardy criticizes how education and religion became vehicles for ambition rather than enlightenment.
Modern Usage:
Like going to law school just for the money and status, not because you care about justice or helping clients.
Characters in This Chapter
Jude
Protagonist undergoing moral awakening
Realizes his religious ambitions were really about social climbing, not faith. Decides to pursue humble service instead of prestigious positions, though he's still following Sue to Melchester.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who realizes his dream job was really about impressing people, so he switches to something meaningful but less flashy
Sue
Love interest and catalyst for change
Has enrolled in teacher training and become more subdued under institutional discipline. Reveals she's engaged to Phillotson, devastating Jude but also forcing him to confront his true motivations.
Modern Equivalent:
The college friend who seems to be getting her life together while yours falls apart, making you question everything
Phillotson
Older mentor figure and rival
Sue's former teacher who is now her fiancé, representing the conventional path of marrying for security and respectability rather than passion. His engagement to Sue crushes Jude's hopes.
Modern Equivalent:
The older coworker or professor who offers stability and career advancement, even if there's no real spark
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The old fancy which had led on to the culminating vision of the bishopric had not been an ethical or theological enthusiasm at all, but a mundane ambition masquerading in a surplice."
Context: Jude reflecting on his true motivations for wanting to join the church
This moment of brutal self-honesty shows Jude recognizing that his religious calling was really about wanting status and respect. The metaphor of ambition 'masquerading in a surplice' reveals how we can deceive ourselves about our real motives.
In Today's Words:
I wasn't really called to serve God - I just wanted people to look up to me and think I was important.
"The sensual hind who ate, drank, and lived carelessly with his wife through the days of his vanity was a more likable being than he."
Context: Jude comparing himself unfavorably to simple, honest working people
Jude realizes that ordinary people living without pretense are more authentic than educated people pursuing false ambitions. This shows his growing appreciation for honest, humble life over intellectual pretension.
In Today's Words:
The regular guy who just enjoys life with his family without trying to be somebody special is better than me with all my schemes.
"A man could preach and do good to his fellow-creatures without taking double-firsts in the schools of Christminster, or having anything but ordinary knowledge."
Context: Jude's realization about alternative paths to meaningful service
This represents Jude's major shift from believing he needs elite credentials to serve others, to understanding that genuine help comes from the heart, not from degrees or social position.
In Today's Words:
You don't need a fancy degree to actually help people - you just need to care and be willing to do the work.
Thematic Threads
Self-Deception
In This Chapter
Jude convinces himself he's choosing humble service over ambition, when he's really following Sue
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters where Jude deceived himself about his academic prospects
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself creating noble reasons for decisions that are really driven by fear, attraction, or ego protection
Class
In This Chapter
Jude finally acknowledges his bishop dreams were about social climbing, not genuine calling
Development
Deepened from his earlier struggles with academic access and social barriers
In Your Life:
You might recognize how much of your career ambitions are about status rather than actual interest or service
Unrequited Love
In This Chapter
Jude follows Sue to Melchester despite her engagement, pretending to support her marriage
Development
Intensified from their earlier intellectual connection and growing attraction
In Your Life:
You might find yourself making major life decisions to stay close to someone who doesn't return your feelings
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Jude begins to find meaning in practical work combined with spiritual study rather than pure ambition
Development
New development showing potential maturation from his earlier academic fantasies
In Your Life:
You might discover that combining your existing skills with new interests creates more satisfaction than chasing prestige
Adaptation
In This Chapter
Jude adjusts his goals when faced with reality, finding work that uses his stone-carving skills in a religious context
Development
Shows evolution from his rigid focus on classical education to more flexible life planning
In Your Life:
You might need to adapt your career path when original plans don't work out, finding ways to use existing skills in new contexts
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What major shift happens in Jude's career goals, and what triggers his move to Melchester?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Jude tell himself he's choosing to become a humble curate rather than pursue being a bishop? What are his real motivations versus his stated reasons?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about career changes you've seen people make after setbacks. How often do people admit their real reasons versus creating noble-sounding explanations?
application • medium - 4
When have you redirected your goals after a disappointment? How did you distinguish between genuine growth and protecting your ego?
reflection • deep - 5
What does Jude's pattern reveal about how we handle the gap between our dreams and reality? How can someone navigate this more successfully?
application • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode Your Own Pivot Story
Think of a major change you made in your life - career, relationship, living situation, or major goal. Write down both the story you told others about why you made the change and your completely honest, private reasons. Look for patterns: Are you following someone? Avoiding failure? Protecting your ego? Genuinely choosing something better?
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between your public explanation and private motivations
- •Ask yourself: What was I really chasing in this change?
- •Consider whether the redirected path actually served you better, regardless of motivation
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to choose between what you wanted and what might actually be good for you. How did you handle the internal conflict, and what did you learn about your own decision-making patterns?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 20: Outside All Laws
In the next chapter, you'll discover shared adventures can reveal hidden aspects of personality and create intimate bonds, and learn people often romanticize freedom while remaining products of their circumstances. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.