Chapter 5 Summary

Susan and Elizabeth-Jane continue through town, eventually reaching the King's Arms, described as the "chief hotel" in Casterbridge. By coincidence there is a public dinner party being hosted by Michael, who has become the Mayor of Casterbridge. Susan sees her husband sitting at the head of the table drinking water instead of wine, and is shocked to find that he has become prosperous. She and Elizabeth-Jane learn that Michael has refrained from drinking alcohol for exactly nineteen years as the result of an oath he had sworn.

As the chapter continues, we learn that Michael is also an important business leader in town, and that Michael is responsible for the bad bread in town. Several townsfolk confront Michael about the bad bread made from this wheat, and Michael becomes somewhat embarrassed. He responds that he was not aware of the problem, and that...