Who Arabella Donn is
Arabella Donn meets Jude Fawley while he is still a young man absorbed in his books. She catches his attention by throwing a piece of pig meat that strikes his ear. Bold and practical, she dazzles Jude, who has never been courted before.
What Arabella Donn wants
Arabella wants a husband and a home, and she sees Jude as a decent young man within reach. She tells him she is expecting a child, and they marry quickly. While Jude wants books and quiet, Arabella wants company, money, and a lively life.
Arabella Donn and the others in the story
The differences between Jude Fawley and Arabella Donn become clear when Jude has to kill a pig and Arabella urges him to let it bleed slowly. Jude is shaken by the animal's suffering and by her attitude toward it. The scene shows how far apart their feelings are beneath the attraction that brings them together.
Hardy does not present Arabella simply as a villain with no needs of her own. Her wish for comfort and security stands beside Jude's longing for learning and a different life.
Questions
Who is Arabella Donn?
Arabella Donn is Jude Fawley's first wife and the daughter of a pig farmer.
What does Arabella want from marriage?
She wants a secure home, money, company, and an active social life. These wishes clash with Jude's preference for study and quiet.
Is Arabella Donn a villain?
Arabella is not a simple villain, though she can be calculating and hard. Her treatment of Jude sits alongside her practical desire for a place in the world.