Ben-Hur, Part 6, Chapter 4 summary

What happens

1. After leaving the drover, Ben-Hur considers the Tower’s strength and feels powerless to rescue his mother if she is imprisoned there.
2. He reaches his family house, knocks without an answer, tears down an imperial ownership notice, and falls asleep outside.
3. His mother and Tirzah approach, fear that poverty leaves him unable to help them, and then recognize him sleeping.
4. His mother prevents Tirzah from kissing him and kisses only his sandal, refusing to expose him to leprosy.
5. Amrah arrives, recognizes Ben-Hur, and embraces him; he asks about his family and enters the house with her.
6. His mother and Tirzah remain concealed, and the next morning people drive them out of the city with stones.

In this chapter

What to notice

Ben-Hur’s mother answers Tirzah’s wish to die by affirming faith. Her resolve sustains them despite disease, poverty, and separation.

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