Jude the Obscure Gender Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

She seemed to get further and further away from him with her strange ways and curious unconsciousness of gender. (3.4.42)

In this one little sentence, there is a whole lot to be said about gender. It's not that Sue views women as somehow superior to men exactly, or that she sees men and women as two opposing forces. She just does not acknowledge gender roles. Her actions are not determined by the fact that she is a woman; they are determined by who she is as a person. Gender has nothing to do with it. Of course, this kind of blows Jude's mind and freaks him out a little.

Quote #5

Jude for a moment felt an unprincipled and fiendish wish to annihilate his rival at all cost. (3.6.18)

Jude, at times, can slip into alpha male mode. It's rare, but when he sees Phillotson with Sue, he goes pretty ultra "masculine" for a minute. Disappointing or romantic? You make the call!

Quote #6

'According to the ceremony as there printed, my bridegroom chooses me of his own will and pleasure; but I don't choose him. Somebody gives me to him, like a she-ass or a she-goat, or any other domestic animal.' (3.7.6)

That about sums it up, doesn't it? Still, to this day, there are a number of wedding ceremonies that lack a sense of gender equality. After all, what are the implications of "giving away the bride?"