Plot
Analysis of the Mayor of Casterbridge
A story of a Man of
Character
The Secluded Couple
The story begins with a secluded couple who although were walking
together but appeared as if completely strange to each other; the woman had
their child in the lap. The man named Michael Henchard who was along with his
wife Susan and a child named Elizabeth-Jane. Henchard being a drunkard was in
the fair where in a downtrodden drunken state he sells off his wife and
daughter to a sailor Mr Richard Newson for 5 Guineas, with his wife thinking it
to be binding leaves with the sailor. On gaining consciousness next morning
Henchard realizes his mistake and goes on to look for them but in vain. Thus he
takes a vow to not touch the liquor for 21 years exactly the number of years of
his age and moves on to a town named Casterbridge where from a mere haytruser
to the Mayor of Casterbridge.
Unexpected Family
Assuming Newson to be dead, Susan moves on with Elizabeth-Jane to
find Henchard so as to ensure the secure and sound future of her. Meanwhile
Henchard himself was involved with a girl named Lucetta who happened to look
after her during his illness on a business tour and they got to a high level of
intimacy causing troubled reputation of the girl. Thus Henchard resolved to
marry her and set up a family with her but the return of Susan and
Elizabeth-Jane was completely unexpected on Henchard’s part and thus he again
decides not to marry her.
Over-Turned
Friendship
Meanwhile Henchard also appointed a Scottish man named Donald
Farfrae as his manager who helped him to overcome a great problem in his
business. Soon they become close friends and Henchard even takes advice from
him regarding the Lucetta’s issue and the return of Susan and Elizabeth-Jane in
an indirect way without disclosing their names. The business mind of Farfrae
yield for Henchard good profit but his growing fame as of it also yields in
Henchard the feeling of jealousy as of which instead of bringing him to his
side by courting from Elizabeth-Jane he fires him and thus losing a good friend
and a great manager. Thus Farfrae sets up his own business.
Turning
Points
After some times Susan dies leaving a note behind in context of
Elizabeth-Jane and was supposed to be read after her marriage but Henchard open
it and witness a great anagorisis of Elizabeth-Jane proving out a great turning
point. After this revelation Henchard estranges Elizabeth-Jane through his
words. Another turn up occurs when Lucetta moves to Casterbridge, inheriting a
lot of wealth with an alias name of Miss Templeton. Estranged Elizabeth-Jane
happens to meet her and later moves in with her to her house. Henchard finding
an opportunity proposes Lucetta for marriage but another turn takes place with
her fall for Farfrae and although Henchard threatens her making her vow before
Elizabeth-Jane she secretly marries Farfrae. Furthermore Henchard through the
enormous loss turn bankrupt and Farfrae buys most of his business.
Revival
of The Past
The past within the novel revives in a very strange manner.
Lucetta although marries Farfrae but is always in fear of disclosure of her
alliance with Henchard in the past to Farfrae. Furthermore another revival of
the past takes places for Henchard when he and Elizabeth-Jane begin to live
together and suddenly Newson turns up enquiringly about her of which he says that
Elizabeth-Jane is dead and buried along with her mother. Both Lucetta and
Henchard are worried as of the revival of the past and fear the revelation of
truth to Farfrae and Elizabeth-Jane respectively.
Consequently
Hampered Present
The revival of the past doesn't go in vain. It consequently leaves
a profound impact over the present. The fear of Lucetta gains an enormous
expansion and she is deeply affected by the drunken possession beheld by Joshua
Jopp and his alliance after the content of the letter is seen and revealed by
him. Consequently, Lucetta dies as of fits after disclosing all the truths to
Farfrae. Moreover, Henchard too is not unperturbed by the past and Newson turns
up again and asks Elizabeth-Jane to meet him through an anonymous letter.
Realizing what is contained in the future Henchard leaves her and the town. The
truth about Henchard’s lie is disclosed before Elizabeth-Jane AND she begins
despising Henchard.
Conclusion
The alleged marriage of Farfrae and Elizabeth-Jane which was even
accepted by Henchard was to take place and Henchard comes with a congratulatory
gift for her, but Elizabeth-Jane despises him and Henchard is completely broken
by this and leaves her place without even bothering about the gift; a caged
bird he brought for her. Later on when she’s shown the dead bird and told
Henchard brought it she is greatly affected and goes on with Farfrae to look
for him. She discovers his residence with Abel Whittle who discloses his death
half an hour before their arrival with a will.
Contents of the will:
- His death shouldn't be disclosed to Elizabeth-Jane Farfrae.
- No churchman to
blow ring on his funeral
- No one should
see his dead body
- No one to walk
mourning behind his dead body.
- No decoration be
planted upon his grave.
- No one should
remember him.
