"Jude the Obscure" chronicles the life of Jude Fawley, a stonemason with grand academic aspirations thwarted by societal norms and his own heart. His love for his cousin, Sue Bridehead, becomes his joy and torment, challenging the conventions of marriage, religion, and society. Set in Hardy's fictional Wessex, the novel boldly critiques social institutions, leading to public outcry upon its release. A poignant exploration of ambition, love, and the constraints of societal expectations.