Jude the Obscure Society and Class Quotes

Here's that whole living-in-two-worlds thing: even when he is still in Marygreen, Jude is seen as someone different from many people in the town.

This is kind of Jude's life in Christminster in a nutshell. He's just separated from the college by a wall, but in reality that wall is class, money, and standing that he can never climb. Not even if he had an awesome jetpack (do not try this at home!).

This brilliant little sentence demonstrates what Jude thinks about himself and where he comes from (he's the "unfortunate, almost cursed stock" in question). It also establishes that Sue, despite coming from the same place, is something entirely different in Jude's eyes.

See, Hardy does have a sense of humor (though it's a dark one, of course). This funny little jibe just highlights how much more concerned some people are with appearances than they are with the wellbeing of other human beings.

While Jude prizes Christminster for its strongholds of education and learned men, Sue sees it as a horrible place except for those lower class people who live there. This sheds some light on the differences between these two who are often seen as being so much alike.

Ugh. What can you say about this one? Money makes the world go 'round and all that. Jude simply lives in a time and place where the poor are looked at as lesser people—and no one seems to feel too bad about showing their class prejudices.

A classic Victorian sentiment: you can't behave the way you want to, because the neighbors and the people at large might see, and they might comment on it. This is the type of stuff that Oscar Wilde made fun of for a living.

Jude drops this on Sue to justify moving to another town when Sue bails on Phillotson and comes to him. You can't be in a spot where people know you when scandal comes your way, or they will make your lives miserable. That's good advice in case you ever time travel back to Victorian England and find yourself in a bit of a jam.

This is a bold statement by Jude, and there is some truth to it. For all of Sue's independent drive and contrary take on institutions like marriage and religion, she is not completely free from her time. There are instances throughout the book where she is highly concerned with what others might think.

Therein lies the tragedy of Jude the Obscure. Jude clings to the city of Christminster and so badly wants to be accepted there. He wants to elevate his class—not for money, but for the respect that comes with a "proper" education. Jude knows that the moneyed folk of the university and the city cannot stand him or anyone like him. He knows they will never welcome him in with open arms, but he still loves the place. At some point, you might have to stop feeling sorry for Jude, because he knows the absurdity of his feelings. He just can't help himself, poor guy.