Summary
Phillotson faces the brutal consequences of his decision to let Sue leave freely. When the school board discovers he gave his wife permission to live with another man, they demand his resignation. Despite his friend Gillingham's advice to quietly step down, Phillotson refuses, insisting he acted morally by respecting Sue's autonomy. At a public meeting, respectable townspeople condemn him, but surprisingly, traveling fair workers and other social outcasts rally to his defense. The meeting erupts into violence, leaving Phillotson devastated and seriously ill. During his recovery, Sue secretly visits him after learning of his condition. Their tender but painful reunion reveals the emotional cost of their separation—she still cares for him as a friend but cannot return as a wife. Phillotson realizes that keeping her legally bound serves no one, especially since Jude is divorcing his own wife Arabella. This chapter exposes how society punishes those who act on progressive principles rather than conventional morality. Phillotson's career is destroyed not for cruelty or incompetence, but for treating his wife as an autonomous human being rather than property. His sacrifice reveals both nobility and naivety—he underestimated how his private choices would become public scandals in a small town where reputation determines survival.
Coming Up in Chapter 35
Months pass as both couples navigate the legal and emotional complexities of divorce. The story jumps ahead to reveal how Phillotson and Sue's decisions have reshaped their lives, setting the stage for new challenges in Aldbrickham.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
N returning to his native town of Shaston as schoolmaster Phillotson had won the interest and awakened the memories of the inhabitants, who, though they did not honour him for his miscellaneous acquirements as he would have been honoured elsewhere, retained for him a sincere regard. When, shortly after his arrival, he brought home a pretty wife—awkwardly pretty for him, if he did not take care, they said—they were glad to have her settle among them. For some time after her flight from that home Sue’s absence did not excite comment. Her place as monitor in the school was taken by another young woman within a few days of her vacating it, which substitution also passed without remark, Sue’s services having been of a provisional nature only. When, however, a month had passed, and Phillotson casually admitted to an acquaintance that he did not know where his wife was staying, curiosity began to be aroused; till, jumping to conclusions, people ventured to affirm that Sue had played him false and run away from him. The schoolmaster’s growing languor and listlessness over his work gave countenance to the idea. Though Phillotson had held his tongue as long as he could, except to his friend Gillingham, his honesty and directness would not allow him to do so when misapprehensions as to Sue’s conduct spread abroad. On a Monday morning the chairman of the school committee called, and after attending to the business of the school drew Phillotson aside out of earshot of the children. “You’ll excuse my asking, Phillotson, since everybody is talking of it: is this true as to your domestic affairs—that your wife’s going away was on no visit, but a secret elopement with a lover? If so, I condole with you.” “Don’t,” said Phillotson. “There was no secret about it.” “She has gone to visit friends?” “No.” “Then what has happened?” “She has gone away under circumstances that usually call for condolence with the husband. But I gave my consent.” The chairman looked as if he had not apprehended the remark. “What I say is quite true,” Phillotson continued testily. “She asked leave to go away with her lover, and I let her. Why shouldn’t I? A woman of full age, it was a question of her own conscience—not for me. I was not her gaoler. I can’t explain any further. I don’t wish to be questioned.” The children observed that much seriousness marked the faces of the two men, and went home and told their parents that something new had happened about Mrs. Phillotson. Then Phillotson’s little maidservant, who was a schoolgirl just out of her standards, said that Mr. Phillotson had helped in his wife’s packing, had offered her what money she required, and had written a friendly letter to her young man, telling him to take care of her. The chairman of committee thought the matter over, and talked to the other managers of the school, till a request came to Phillotson to meet them privately....
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Principled Punishment
Society consistently punishes those who act on conscience rather than convenience, while rewarding conformity over integrity.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when your moral choices threaten established power structures and predict the resulting backlash patterns.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone gets punished more harshly for exposing problems than the people who created them—that's the power structure protecting itself.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
School Committee/Board
Local governing body that hired and fired teachers in Victorian England. These were usually prominent businessmen and clergy who enforced strict moral standards on educators. Teachers served at their pleasure and could be dismissed for any behavior deemed inappropriate.
Modern Usage:
Like modern school boards that can fire teachers for social media posts or personal conduct they consider damaging to the school's reputation.
Public Meeting
In small Victorian towns, these were community gatherings where local issues were debated and decided. Everyone could attend and voice opinions, making them both democratic forums and potential mob scenes where reputations were destroyed.
Modern Usage:
Similar to town halls or community meetings where neighbors can gang up on someone they disapprove of, often turning into public shaming sessions.
Moral Autonomy
The radical idea that individuals, especially women, should make their own choices about relationships and life decisions. Phillotson believes Sue has the right to leave him if she's unhappy, which was revolutionary thinking in 1895.
Modern Usage:
What we now consider basic human rights - the freedom to leave relationships, make personal choices, and not be owned by spouses or employers.
Social Outcasts
People on society's margins - traveling fair workers, laborers, anyone outside respectable middle-class circles. Hardy shows these 'disreputable' people often have more genuine humanity than the respectable classes.
Modern Usage:
Like how working-class people, immigrants, or anyone society looks down on often show more real compassion than wealthy, 'respectable' folks.
Progressive Principles
Ideas ahead of their time about human dignity, equality, and freedom. Phillotson acts on beliefs about women's rights and personal liberty that won't become mainstream for decades.
Modern Usage:
When someone takes a stand for what's right before society catches up - like early supporters of gay marriage or workers' rights facing backlash.
Reputation Economy
In small Victorian communities, your good name was your currency. Lose your reputation and you lost your livelihood, housing, and social connections. Everything depended on what neighbors thought of you.
Modern Usage:
Like how online reviews, social media presence, and community gossip can still make or break someone's career and social life today.
Characters in This Chapter
Phillotson
Tragic idealist
Faces the brutal consequences of treating his wife as an equal human being rather than property. His refusal to quietly resign shows both principle and stubbornness. The public attack leaves him physically and emotionally devastated.
Modern Equivalent:
The manager who gets fired for treating employees fairly when the company wants exploitation
Sue
Conflicted conscience
Returns secretly to care for Phillotson when she learns he's ill, showing she still feels responsible for his suffering. Her visit reveals the emotional cost of their separation on both sides.
Modern Equivalent:
The ex who still cares but can't go back, visiting during a crisis out of guilt and genuine concern
Gillingham
Practical friend
Advises Phillotson to quietly resign rather than fight the school board. Represents conventional wisdom about picking your battles and protecting yourself from public scandal.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who says 'just keep your head down' when you want to stand up to workplace injustice
School Committee Chairman
Institutional enforcer
Demands Phillotson's resignation when the scandal becomes public knowledge. Represents how institutions protect their reputation by sacrificing individuals who challenge social norms.
Modern Equivalent:
The HR director who fires someone for 'bringing negative attention to the company'
Fair Workers
Unexpected allies
These social outcasts defend Phillotson against the respectable townspeople, creating a riot. Hardy shows that society's rejects often have more genuine humanity than the supposedly moral middle class.
Modern Equivalent:
Working-class people who stand up for someone being bullied by their 'betters'
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Though Phillotson had held his tongue as long as he could, his honesty and directness would not allow him to do so when misapprehensions as to Sue's conduct spread abroad."
Context: When rumors start spreading that Sue ran away and betrayed him
Shows Phillotson's fatal flaw - he's too honest for his own good. He could have let people believe Sue was the villain, but his integrity forces him to tell the truth that destroys his career.
In Today's Words:
He couldn't keep quiet when people started trashing Sue's reputation, even though speaking up would ruin him.
"I have been thinking that I was quite within my right in releasing her from a bond which she did not wish to keep."
Context: Defending his decision to the school committee
Phillotson articulates a revolutionary view of marriage as a voluntary bond rather than permanent ownership. His use of legal language shows he's thought this through rationally, not acted on impulse.
In Today's Words:
I did the right thing letting her go - marriage shouldn't be a prison.
"It is not the man who acts wrongly who is condemned, but he who acts differently."
Context: Reflecting on society's reaction to his progressive choice
A bitter insight into how society really works. People aren't actually punished for being cruel or harmful - they're punished for challenging the status quo, even when their actions are more moral.
In Today's Words:
Society doesn't punish bad people - it punishes anyone who rocks the boat.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
The respectable middle class attacks Phillotson while working-class fair people defend him, showing how class determines moral perspective
Development
Continues from earlier chapters showing how class shapes access to choices and consequences
In Your Life:
You might find your strongest allies among people society dismisses, not those it celebrates
Identity
In This Chapter
Phillotson's professional identity is destroyed for acting on his personal values, forcing him to choose between roles
Development
Builds on Jude's struggle between scholar and working man, now showing marriage vs. individual identity
In Your Life:
You might face moments where being true to yourself costs you your professional reputation
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The community expects wives to be property and husbands to control them, punishing deviation from these roles
Development
Escalates from earlier subtle pressures to open violence and career destruction
In Your Life:
You might discover that doing the right thing makes you an enemy to people who seemed respectable
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Phillotson grows from conventional husband to someone who recognizes women's autonomy, despite the cost
Development
Shows growth can be painful and costly, unlike Jude's earlier romantic notions of improvement
In Your Life:
You might find that becoming a better person makes your life harder, not easier
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Sue's secret visit shows their relationship transcends social categories—neither married nor strangers
Development
Develops the theme that authentic connection defies social labels and legal definitions
In Your Life:
You might have relationships that don't fit neat categories but remain meaningful and complex
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does the school board punish Phillotson for letting Sue leave, but would probably have ignored it if he'd been cruel to her?
analysis • surface - 2
What does it tell us that the 'respectable' townspeople attack Phillotson while the fair workers defend him?
analysis • medium - 3
Can you think of modern examples where people get punished more for doing the right thing than the wrong thing?
application • medium - 4
If you were Phillotson's friend, what advice would you give him about taking principled stands that might destroy his career?
application • deep - 5
Why do systems often punish integrity more harshly than corruption?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Moral Risk Assessment
Think of a situation where you know the right thing to do but worry about the consequences. Write down who would support you, who would oppose you, and what you'd lose versus gain. Then consider: are you more like the respectable townspeople protecting their comfort, or Phillotson risking everything for his principles?
Consider:
- •Your real allies might not be who you expect
- •The cost of integrity is often front-loaded while the benefits come later
- •Systems punish examples that threaten their stability
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose safety over your conscience, or when you took a stand despite the cost. What did you learn about yourself and the people around you?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 35: Freedom's Uncomfortable Questions
In the next chapter, you'll discover legal freedom doesn't always bring emotional clarity, and learn fear of commitment can mask deeper relationship doubts. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.