Oxford, Day 11: When Bees Attack

My Shakespeare course was off to a normal start, until one girl pointed out a huge bee on the window sill in the classroom. After a few screams, pictures, and some prods with an umbrella, the professor was able to capture the bee using a cup and my essay--yikes--and released it outdoors. 

In Literature of Oxford, the group visited the Sheldonian Theater featured in Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure. We were not able to get into the theater, but we were happy to enjoy the sunny weather. Afterwards, we walked to the Lamb and Flag pub, where Hardy wrote the book, and also where Jude drunkenly recites the Nicean Creed. The Lamb and Flag framed the page where it was featured in the novel and is on display in the hallway.

I picked up a few postcards for family at the Alice Store and another souvenir shop nearby. I also picked up a copy of Alice and Wonderland for my second cousins and wrapped in Alice-themed wrapping paper. Even though they are too young to read it themselves, it is a fun story time book for children, or it may come in handy if they study Alice in school. 

For dinner, I stopped by Cook and bought Cranberry Crush juice and Hearty Fisherman's Pie--"naturally-smoked haddock, cod and salmon, poached lightly and served in a white wine and tomato sauce, layered with fresh spinach and topped with creamy mashed potato." Needless to say, it was phenomenal. 

Sheldonian Theater

Lamb and Flag

Excerpt from Jude the Obscure where the Lamb and Flag is mentioned

Postcards for the family in the States!

Alice in Wonderland wrapped in Alice in Wonderland wrapping paper

Heaven

Oxford, Day 9: Jubilee in Jericho

This afternoon, the grouped walked to Jericho, where Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure lived in Oxford. The story's protagonist, Jude, leads a difficult life filled with rejection and confusion. Young Jude, a true scholar, is not accepted to the universities in Oxford, because of his working class status.  After a series of disappointing events, Jude moves from the country to Oxford, but he realizes that he will never be able to step on the other side of the universities' stone walls. He is forever shut out.

Visiting Jericho today was certainly not depressing like Jude's world. Former working class homes have been renovated and boast little English rose gardens that gently spill onto the sidewalk. Many locals were out celebrating the Jubilee holiday at pubs and the street fair.

The group visited St. Sepulchre's graveyard to visit the grave of Oxford scholar Benjamin Jowett. Jowett served as the inspiration for the blue caterpillar in Alice and Wonderland and one of the university deans in Jude the Obscure. Afterwards, we went to St. Barnabas Church in the center of town by the Jubilee celebrations, and finally ended the day at a pub named Jude the Obscure.

St. Sepulchre's Cemetery

RIP Benjamin Jowett

Jericho Street Festival

St. Barnabas Church

Jude the Obscure Pub