Far from the Madding Crowd, Chapter 14 summary

What happens

1. During supper, Boldwood repeatedly studies the valentine and gives its command a seriousness absent from its origin.
2. In bed, he imagines the unknown woman writing to him and repeatedly wakes with the letter nearby.
3. He searches the envelope for further contents, finds nothing, and feels troubled by his own reflection.
4. At dawn, he walks outside and observes the snow, frost, and strangely reversed light.
5. He opens a letter from the mail cart, expecting another anonymous message, but discovers it belongs to Gabriel Oak.
6. Boldwood offers to deliver the letter himself and follows Gabriel toward Warren’s Malthouse.

In this chapter

What to notice

The delivery becomes an opportunity for Boldwood rather than a simple correction of his mistake. His new purpose moves him toward Gabriel.

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