Classics Retold

Next morning was of sun and dew.  Birds' songs spread into the healthy air. Barren clouds were suspended here and there in the wan sky.  The creeping plants about the old manor house were bowed with heavy water drops.  Gabriel Oak and Jan Coggan passed the  village cross  and went on together to the fields.  They were near the house of Bathsheba, when Oak fancied he saw one of the  casement  in one of the upper windows.  The two men were at this moment partially screened by a bush now beginning to be encircled with black bunches of berries, and they paused before emerging from its shade.  A handsome man leaned idly from the lattice.  He looked east and then west, in the manner of one who makes a first morning survey.  It was sergeant Troy.   His red jacket was loosely thrown on, but not buttoned, and he had altogether the relaxed bearing of a soldier taking his ease.  Looking quietly at the window, Coggan spoke f...

A type of window or door hinged on one side, allowing it to open outward or inward like a door.  Known for high ventilation and energy efficiency, they often feature a crank mechanism for easy operation and tight sealing, making them ideal for residential and commercial use.  They typically consist of a sash hinges and latch.

A traditional medieval monument typically located on a village green or central areas serving as sites for preaching, or as village market or for community meetings. These structures commonly featured a stepped base, a socket stone and a shaft exemplified by Winthrope village cross.  Many surviving crosses in UK are listed medieval structures. They were also known as preaching crosses, and were used by early Christian for gatherings and baptism.  Besides this, there were market crosses, for community life, trading, and meeting. Many older village crosses are protected as listed buildings or designated ancient ancient monuments. 

That same evening, at dusk. Gabriel was leaning over the Coggan's garden gate, taking an up and down survey before retiring to rest.  A gig was creeping along the grassy margin of the lane.  Oak instantly recognised the voices of Bathsheba and Liddy. It came opposite and passed by. Liddy was asking questions about the city of Bath, and Bathsheba was answering them listlessly and unconcernedly. Bathsheba was weary, as also her horse.  The exquisite relief of finding her safe and sound overpowered all other reflections.  All grave reports were forgotten.  He lingered on till there was no difference between the eastern and western sky, and the timid hares began to limp courageously round the dim hillocks. A dark form walked slowly by.  "Goodnight, Gabriel," said Boldwood.  "Goodnight, sir," returned Gabriel Oak. Boldwood passed away, and Gabriel returned home. Boldwood was in front of Bathsheba's house. He saw a light in the parlour of the house.  Si...

The phrase is a literary allusion drawn from Greek mythology, where Acheron is the river of woes and shade is the spirit of the dead.  Acheron is one of the five infernal rivers in the Greek underworld representing sorrow and pain. Mournful Fields often refers to Asphodel Meadows or area within Hades where spirits roam. The image invoked a sense of tragic isolation and death-like despair foreshadowing the ruin of the character Boldwood in 34th Chapter of Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. 

A fig for such love is an idiom meaning the love is worthless or insignificant, akin to "I don't care a fig." It historically signifies the contempt for empty, fruitless or insincere affection - much like a tree with leaves but no fruits. It is shallow show rather than true devotion. A famous line in Shakespeare's Othello (Act 1 scene 3) spoken by Iago, the villain "Virtue? A fig?" Here he dismisses the idea that morality or goodness controls our destiny. Derived from an old expression where a fig implies worthlessness, it had been used in literature to express disdain.  Imagery of fig tree with only leaves represents the lack of expected results.  "Strangler fig" means taking resources without giving back.