Jude the Obscure: Sues' Misconception of Marriage

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Jude the Obscure Assignment 4 Essay In the Victorian novel Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, the third book delves into the intricate life of Sue and her unusual marital circumstances. Jude is able to see Sue's misunderstanding of the commitment that marriage entails, so he informs her of this through a quote. Jude's credibility in accurately observing Sue's incorrect outlook on marriage stems from his past experience with Arabella.

Throughout the third book of the novel, the author gives the reader an important insight into the personality of Sue Bridehead, Jude's cousin.

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Her intellectual affinity is characterized indirectly by the author through her actions, such as living in Christminster and quoting the bible, as well as directly through statements about Jude's admiration of her intelligence. This inclination towards knowledge is coupled with an aversion to physical affection and ultimately leads to the situation that Jude describes through the quote in question. Sue does not comprehend the feelings of emotion, love, and lust that are supposed to be present in a marriage.

Instead, she views her unusual deal of marriage to Phillotson as a nominal agreement rather than an emotional connection, Jude expresses his view on this to Sue by saying "[You do not realize what marriage means. You are no Mrs. Phillotson." Sue's lack of attraction to Phillotson and her nonexistent fear of men persist throughout their marriage and serves to show her desire to be an independent woman of intellect. This wish is a clear harbinger of thee further complications that Sue will experience with marriage and it shows that, as Jude has stated, Sue is not ready to be a wife since she does not realize the restrictions of wifehood.

The independent and non-physical actions of Sue are also meant to show that marriage has not strangled her in its legal bond. Jude explains this by saying "wifedom has not yet squashed you up and digested you in its vast maw as an atom which has no further individuality.” This quote shows that Sue has not yet suffered under the limitations of marriage. The purpose of the word “yet” in the quote is to assert that Sue will be pressured into the subservient lifestyle of a wife after some time. Sue still embraces her independence by meeting with Jude and pursuing her own education, but eventually, her position as a wife will hinder her from engaging in such liberal activities and strip her of the freedoms she values.

Jude acquires this opinion of marriage from his own experience with Arabella. He, too, had aspirations like Sue, but the overwhelming burden of marriage put a damper on his attempt to be educated until he and Arabella are separated. Jude is warning Sue that she is ill-prepared for her marriage, claiming that she will not expect the inevitable subordination and commitment that it requires in order to prevent her from struggling with the same mistake that he made. Additionally, since Sue is represented as the intellectual side of Jude, we can interpret this assertion to Sue about marriage as Jude's realization that his thirst for education is barred by the inconveniences of love, marriage, and low social standing. Essentially, Jude holds this belief because he has faced the difficulties of marriage and can testify to its restraints.

All in all, Jude's statement to Sue in book three of Jude the Obscure is intended to open Sue's eyes to her misinterpretation of marriage and its unexpected consequences. It also serves to warn Sue of the eventual limitations that marriage will oppress her with; marriage will suppress her desire for individuality and interfere with her freedom. A belief such as this is only strong enough to have come from past experiences, so Jude's failure in marriage is a sufficient explanation for his pessimistic views.