Jude Fawley lives in the village of Marygreen with his aunt. When his schoolmaster leaves Marygreen for a position of Christminster, Jude hopes to follow him there someday to attend school.

Jude serves out his apprenticeship as a stonemason and then travels to Christminster to attend school.

Jude is rejected for admission by the Dean of Cardinal College.

Phillotson proposes to Sue, who seeks Jude's advice.

Sue and Jude begin divorce proceedings against their respective spouses and start living together under one roof but in separate rooms.

Jude travels in search of work and the pregnant Sue finds that she must work too.