Character guide

Jude Fawley

major

Also known as Jude, Mrs. Fawley, young Fawley, Fawley, Mrs. Jude Fawley, Mr. Jude Fawley, little Jude, the impulsive Jude, The boy Jude, Jude the Obscure

A village boy who dreams of university scholarship, Jude Fawley becomes a stonemason caught between impossible ambition and the women who undo him.

Sue Bridehead

major

Also known as Sue, Susanna, sweet Sue, dear Sue, Bridehead, free Sue Bridehead, The unwitting Sue, Dear Sue, Dear faithful Sue, Miss Bridehead

Jude's brilliant, unconventional cousin, Sue Bridehead dreads marriage's iron contract even as she draws him toward a love society will not permit.

Arabella Donn

major

Also known as Belinda, Arabella, Donn, O Arabella, Bella, Arabella Cartlett, Cartlett, Mrs. Cartlett, Miss Donn

Earthy, calculating Arabella Donn lures Jude into a hasty marriage, then leaves him to pursue her own survival with cheerful pragmatism.

Richard Phillotson

supporting

Also known as Mr. Phillotson, Phillotson, one Mr. Phillotson, the great Phillotson, Richard, Mrs. Phillotson, Mrs. Richard Phillotson, the wretched Phillotson, IV Phillotson

The schoolmaster whose Christminster dream first inspires Jude, Phillotson later marries Sue and surprises everyone with his capacity for generosity.

Father Time

supporting

Also known as Time, Father, little Time, Little Father

Jude and Arabella's strange, solemn son, Father Time arrives from Australia carrying the weight of his parents' failures on small shoulders.

Aunt Drusilla

supporting

Also known as Poor Aunt Drusilla, Drusilla, Drusilla Fawley, Miss Fawley, old Drusilla Fawley, Miss Drusilla Fawley

Jude's great-aunt Drusilla raises him in Marygreen while muttering dark warnings about the Fawley family's curse of ill-advised marriage.

Physician Vilbert

minor

Also known as Vilbert, the itinerant Vilbert, Dr. Vilbert

A quack doctor who peddles remedies and appears periodically.

Gillingham

minor

Also known as Mr. Gillingham

Phillotson's friend and confidant who advises him on his marriage.

Edlin

minor

Also known as Mrs. Edlin, the Widow Edlin, Widow Edlin

A kind elderly neighbor who helps Jude and Sue in times of need.

Tinker Taylor

minor

Also known as Taylor

A tinker who befriends Jude and provides comic relief.

Farmer Troutham

minor

Also known as Troutham, Presently Troutham

The farmer who employs young Jude as a bird-scarer.

Miss Fontover

minor

Also known as the elderly Miss Fontover thither

Sue's employer at a religious shop in Christminster.

Uncle Joe

minor

Also known as Joseph, Joe

Jude's uncle who lives in Australia and sends news.

Anny

minor

One of Arabella's friends who helps with the pig-killing.

Mr. Challow

minor

Also known as Challow

A local man who appears briefly in Aldbrickham.

Mr. Cockman

minor

A clergyman who interviews Jude for a possible career.

Mr. Cartlett

minor

Arabella's second husband, a publican.