Chapter 13 Summary

In this chapter, Michael rents and furnishes a cottage for Susan and begins visiting her as per his plan. After a short time, he proposes to her and she agrees to marry him. Hardy tells the reader that Michael has three motives in proposing this marriage: 1) to make up for selling Susan, 2) to give Elizabeth-Jane a home and 3) to punish himself. The townsfolk are described as being confused as to why Michael would want to marry a woman of lower social and economic standing. Their misgivings are described in some detail, providing some comic relief as well as insight into the social system of the day. Despite their concerns, however, Michael and Susan are married in November with Farfrae serving as a groomsman.

Chapter 13 Analysis

Michael's marriage to Susan is surrounding by clouds of misunderstanding, as the common townsfolk express shock that he...