- absolute certaintyphraseChapter 1 →
Something that is completely guaranteed and cannot be doubted in any way; here used to stress that only one fact about Jude could be stated without any question at all.
“The only absolute certainty about him was that he would not stay at Marygreen.”
- bookishadjectiveChapter 1 →
Devoted to reading and study rather than practical or social activities; describing a person who prefers books and learning over outdoor or social life.
- great-auntnounChapter 1 →
The aunt of one's parent; a family elder one generation above an aunt, here acting as Jude's guardian.
- enthusiasmnounChapter 2 →
A sudden, intense feeling of eager interest or passion for something or someone, here suggesting Jude's feelings shift quickly and powerfully.
“He was a young man of sudden enthusiasms, and his present enthusiasm was for Sue Bridehead.”
- apostleshipnounChapter 4 →
The calling or role of spreading religious faith, like one of Christ's apostles; here referring to Jude's ambition to become a minister or church worker.
“his second aspiration—towards apostleship—had also been checked by a woman.”
- aspirationnounChapter 4 →
A strong hope or ambition to achieve something important, especially a goal that requires long effort and dedication.
“Strange that his first aspiration—towards academical proficiency—had been checked by a woman.”
- academical proficiencyphraseChapter 4 →
A high level of skill and achievement in university-level scholarship and learning; the goal of excelling in formal academic study.
“his first aspiration—towards academical proficiency—had been checked by a woman.”
- TractarianadjectiveChapter 3 →
Relating to the Oxford Movement of the 1830s–40s, which sought to bring the Church of England closer to Catholic tradition and ritual; here describing one strand of Sue's contradictory religious views.
“her views were of a curious unconscious mixture of Tractarian and Rationalist.”
- RationalistadjectiveChapter 3 →
Guided by reason and evidence rather than religious faith or tradition; here describing the opposing, skeptical side of Sue's beliefs.
“her views were of a curious unconscious mixture of Tractarian and Rationalist.”
- advancedadjectiveChapter 3 →
Holding progressive or unconventional opinions that go beyond what most people in that era accepted, especially regarding religion, society, or the role of women.
“She was of the type dubbed advanced; her views were of a curious unconscious mixture of Tractarian and Rationalist.”
- dubbedverbChapter 3 →
Informally labelled or nicknamed by others; given a particular title or description by common social opinion rather than any official designation.
“She was of the type dubbed advanced.”
- mixed withphraseChapter 3 →
Spent time socially with a group of people; associated closely with them on equal or near-equal terms.
“I have mixed with them—one or two of them particularly—almost as one of their own sex.”
- stabilitynounChapter 3 →
Firmness of character, emotion, or purpose; the quality of being reliably consistent and not prone to sudden changes of feeling or decision.
“I am a woman of no stability, and I don't know what I want.”
- beggarlyadjectiveChapter 5 →
Contemptibly small or unimportant; used here to dismiss a question as too trivial and mean-spirited to deserve serious attention.
“The beggarly question of parentage—what is it, after all?”
- parentagenounChapter 5 →
The identity of a person's parents and the family line they come from; biological origin as a social or legal fact.
“The beggarly question of parentage—what is it, after all? What does it matter, when you come to think of it, whether a child is yours by blood or not?”
- by bloodphraseChapter 5 →
Through biological descent rather than adoption, marriage, or any other legal tie; related by actual genetic family connection.
“What does it matter, when you come to think of it, whether a child is yours by blood or not?”
- selfishadjectiveChapter 5 →
Concerned only with one's own pleasure or benefit without regard for the needs or welfare of other people.
“I feel that we have been selfish in our happiness—that we have not thought of others enough.”
- mennyadjectiveChapter 6 →
A child's misspelling of 'many'; used in the novel to show that the note was written by a young child and to make the tragedy feel more raw and heartbreaking.
“Done because we are too menny.”
- paltryadjectiveChapter 6 →
Pitifully small or worthless; here used to describe a person as a pathetic, insignificant casualty of larger social forces.
“I was, perhaps, after all, a paltry victim to the spirit of mental and social restlessness.”
- restlessnessnounChapter 6 →
A state of constant dissatisfaction and inability to settle, here describing a widespread modern mood that drives people to question their place in society and seek change.
“a paltry victim to the spirit of mental and social restlessness that makes so many unhappy in these days.”
- stentorianadjectiveChapter 6 →
Extremely loud and powerful, like a voice that commands a large crowd; used here to show how the force opposing Jude grew from a hint to an overwhelming command.
“First it said so in a whisper, then aloud, then in a stentorian voice.”
- externaladjectiveChapter 6 →
Coming from outside oneself; belonging to the world or society rather than to one's own will or inner life.
“There is something external to us which says, 'You shan't!'”
- shan'tverbChapter 6 →
A contraction of 'shall not'; a firm prohibition or refusal, here personifying an outside force that forbids Jude and Sue from achieving happiness.
“There is something external to us which says, 'You shan't!'”
Jude the ObscureNovel by Thomas Hardy