Chapter 11 Summary

This chapter focuses on the meeting between Michael and Susan. Hardy describes the area as rich in Roman history, and mentions that there are many dead Romans buried throughout Casterbridge and its surrounding fields. This dark note is continued when Hardy describes how the amphitheatre, which was once used for gladiators and other blood sports, was also used for a gruesome public execution.

Susan and Michael meet and Michael explains that after his long search he had given her up for dead. She explains that she stayed with Newson at first because she believed the sale was legal and then because she felt she owed him her loyalty. Michael proposes that she move to a cottage in Casterbridge calling herself the widow Newson, and he will come to court and marry her. By doing so, he hopes to avoid having knowledge of his...