I: Description of Farmer Oak; An Incident
First appears as a young woman riding atop a wagon of household goods; she secretly admires herself in a mirror and shows indifference to Gabriel's favor.
III: A Girl on Horseback; Conversation
Rides through the plantation in an unconventional manner, milks a cow, and later saves Gabriel from suffocation.
IV: Gabriel’s Resolve; The Visit; The Mistake
Runs after Gabriel to correct her aunt's false claim about having a sweetheart, but ultimately rejects his proposal.
Departure of Bathsheba; A Pastoral Tragedy
Bathsheba has left the neighborhood for Weatherbury, though her exact role there is unknown to Gabriel.
VI: The Fair; The Journey; The Fire
Bathsheba is mentioned indirectly by the wagoners as a vain, handsome woman who plays the piano and looks in the mirror before bed, leading Gabriel to suspect they are speaking of her.
Recognition; A Timid Girl
Hires Gabriel Oak as her shepherd after recognizing him; shows coolness and authority.
The Malthouse; The Chat; News
Anxiously inquires about Fanny Robin's disappearance and gives orders to her men from her bedroom window.
IX: The Homestead; A Visitor; Half-Confidences
Flustered by her appearance and Boldwood's visit; admits to having rejected a suitor (Gabriel Oak).
X: Mistress and Men
Assumes control of the farm, dismisses the bailiff, pays the workers, and inquires about Fanny Robin.
XII: Farmers; A Rule; An Exception
Makes her debut as a farmer at the Casterbridge corn market, handling business with confidence and attracting attention as the only woman present.
XIII: Sortes Sanctorum; The Valentine
Engages in superstitious divination and impulsively sends a valentine to Mr. Boldwood, reflecting her capricious and independent spirit.
XVII: In the Market-Place
Bathsheba is aware of Boldwood's attention and regrets her earlier prank, considering an apology but fearing misinterpretation.
XVIII: Boldwood in Meditation; Regret
Bathsheba is troubled by the effect she has had on Boldwood, realizing her flirtation has unintended consequences. She resolves to avoid further interference but feels the situation is already beyond control.
XIX: The Sheep-Washing; The Offer
Stands by the sheep-washing in a new riding-habit, receives Boldwood's proposal with surprise and regret over the valentine, and asks for time to think.
Troubles in the Fold; A Message
Distraught over the sheep's condition, she initially refuses to send for Gabriel but eventually relents and writes a note pleading for his help.
The Great Barn and the Sheep-Shearers
Appears in a myrtle-green riding-habit, departs with Boldwood after a brief, sharp exchange with Gabriel over a wounded sheep.
Eventide; A Second Declaration
Presides over the shearing-supper from the window, sings for the workers, and later privately agrees to consider marrying Boldwood after a few weeks.
XXIV: The Same Night; The Fir Plantation
Conducts her nightly farm inspection, becomes entangled with Sergeant Troy in the fir plantation, and later questions Liddy about him.
XXV: The New Acquaintance Described
Observes Troy from a distance and feels a nameless relief at Boldwood's absence; she blushes with half-angry embarrassment when Troy approaches her in the hayfield.
Scene on the Verge of the Hay-Mead
Bathsheba is conflicted, alternately repulsed and fascinated by Troy's advances; she tries to maintain her dignity but is visibly affected.
XXVII: Hiving the Bees
Attempts to hive the bees herself; becomes flustered and agrees to a private meeting with Troy to see his sword-exercise.
XXVIII: The Hollow Amid the Ferns
Meets Troy in the fern hollow, trembles at her own temerity, is awed and frightened by his swordplay, and is kissed by him.
XXIX: Particulars of a Twilight Walk
Shown as self-reliant yet foolishly infatuated with Troy, she defends him passionately and tries to dismiss Gabriel.
XXX: Hot Cheeks and Tearful Eyes
Flushed and excited after Troy's kiss; writes to reject Boldwood; denies then confesses her love for Troy; volatile and tearful.
XXXI: Blame; Fury
Struggles with guilt and fear after rejecting Boldwood, anxiously anticipating Troy's return.
Night; Horses Tramping
Devises a risky plan to drive to Bath alone at night to confront Sergeant Troy and end their relationship.
XXXIII: In the Sun; A Harbinger
Bathsheba is absent in Bath, and Cain Ball reports seeing her walking arm-in-arm with Sergeant Troy.
Home Again; A Trickster
Returns from Bath, weary, and later meets Troy secretly at night.
XXXVI: Wealth in Jeopardy; The Revel
Attends the dance as Troy's wife, protests the distribution of brandy, and leaves indignantly when Troy sends the women home.
The Storm; The Two Together
Works alongside Gabriel to save the ricks, reveals the true story of her marriage to Troy, and shows vulnerability and gratitude.
XXXIX: Coming Home; A Cry
Listless and sad, she confronts Troy about his gambling and later suspects his connection to the mysterious woman.
XLI: Suspicion; Fanny Is Sent For
Feels humiliated and trapped in her marriage, yet asserts her authority by arranging Fanny's funeral.
XLII: Joseph and His Burden; Buck’s Head
Insists Fanny's body be brought into the house, shows solicitousness despite earlier indifference.
Fanny's Revenge
Devastated by Troy's rejection and his declaration that Fanny is his true wife; she struggles with loneliness and suspicion about Fanny's death.
Under a Tree; Reaction
Flees to a wood after a conflict with Troy, resolves to stay and endure her marriage with pride, hides in an attic, and struggles with her emotions.
Troy's Romanticism
Bathsheba has left the house after confronting Troy; Troy is indifferent to her whereabouts.
The Gurgoyle: Its Doings
Visits Fanny's grave, discovers Troy's tombstone, and directs Gabriel to fix the gurgoyle.
XLVII: Adventures by the Shore
Troy finds life in her house intolerable, contributing to his decision to leave.
XLVIII: Doubts Arise; Doubts Linger
Bathsheba grapples with her husband's absence and apparent death, experiencing a range of emotions from indifference to shock, and ultimately doubts the news of his drowning.
Oak’s Advancement; A Great Hope
Returns from visiting her aunt; she is in a quiet, apathetic mood, mourning Troy and managing the farm without enthusiasm.
The Sheep Fair; Troy Touches His Wife’s Hand
Attends the fair with Joseph Poorgrass; sells her sheep; is approached by Boldwood; receives Pennyways' note but does not read it; screams when the note is snatched from her hand.
Bathsheba Talks with Her Outrider
Drives home from the fair, troubled by Boldwood's persistent devotion and her own guilt; she promises to marry him if she ever remarries, then seeks Gabriel's advice.
Converging Courses
Bathsheba prepares for Boldwood's party, feeling conflicted and anxious about the social expectations and her own emotions.
LIII: Concurritur; Horae Momento
Pressured by Boldwood into a six-year engagement, she reluctantly accepts a ring while weeping and expressing doubt about Troy's death.
After the Shock
Sits on the floor with Troy's head in her lap, directs Gabriel to fetch a surgeon, later has the body brought home, prepares it for burial alone, and collapses from exhaustion.
LV: The March Following; “Bathsheba Boldwood”
Remains in a deeply depressed state, barely improved since Christmas, constantly asking for news of Boldwood's fate.
LVI: Beauty in Loneliness; After All
Suffers from loneliness and a sense of being despised; visits Gabriel's home and later the churchyard where she weeps at Fanny and Troy's grave.
LVII: A Foggy Night and Morning; Conclusion
Wakes early, prepares for the wedding, and marries Gabriel in a quiet ceremony.
