How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"He's a doctor's son by name, which is a great deal; and he's an earl's son by nature!" (24.65)
When she tries to justify her attraction to Sergeant Troy, Bathsheba finds it necessary to mention that Troy was raised as the son of a doctor, but that he's in reality the son of a nobleman. You'd think that it might be good enough for her to say that she simply likes the guy. But like many people of her time, she realizes that a person's social class plays a big role in their suitability for marriage.
Quote #5
He was a fairly well educated man for one of middle class—exceptionally well educated for a common soldier. (25.9)
When describing Sergeant Troy to us, Hardy's narrator is quick to mention that Troy is much more educated than most soldiers. This probably helps explain why Troy is so good with words compared to many of his soldier friends. This education, though, also tends to make Troy strive for things that are beyond the life of a soldier, which can help explain why he gives up poor Fanny Robin for marriage to the wealthy Bathsheba.
Quote #6
"His being higher in learning and birth than the ruck o' soldiers is anything but a proof of his worth. It shows his course to be down'ard." (29.36)
Bathsheba tries to defend Sergeant Troy to Gabriel Oak by saying how good Troy's family was. But Oak totally schools her by saying that actually, Troy's good family shows that Troy has come down in the world and will probably continue to do so. If a dude from a rich family is forced to become a soldier, it must mean that he really blew threw his family's money instead of doing something useful with it.