How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The retort of the furmity-woman before the magistrates had spread; and in four-and-twenty hours there was not a person in Casterbridge who remained unacquainted with the story of Henchard's mad freak at Weydon Priors Fair, long years before. (31.1)
Isn't it a strange coincidence that the old woman who sold Henchard the rum-spiked furmity the night he sold Susan should show up in Casterbridge years later? And that Henchard should be the justice of the peace listening to the complaint against her in court? Coincidence starts looking an awful lot like fate in this novel.
Quote #8
But her strong sense that neither she nor any human being deserved less than was given, did not blind her to the fact that there were others receiving less who had deserved much more. (45.32)
Fate is unkind to a lot of people in this novel, and Elizabeth-Jane seems more aware of the unfairness of this than any other character.