What is the major theme?

Religion plays a big role in this novel on two levels. First, the universities in Christminster mostly cater to those who want to enter the church as learned men, bishops. As Jude becomes an adult and studies the Latin and Greek texts, he comes across he comes to believe that he wants nothing more than to become a bishop in the church. This also stems from Mr. Phillotson's parting words to Jude that studying to enter the church is the best a man can hope to aspire. Even when Jude discovers that his poverty will keep him from entering one of these universities, he continues to hope to enter the church through a less prestigious program that will help him become a priest.