The Mayor of Casterbridge
"The business of the poet and novelist is to show the sorriness underlying the grandest things, and the grandeur underlying the sorriest." Thomas Hardy said this upon completion of the novel The Mayor of Casterbridge. Thomas Henchard, the main character in his novel, becomes the example to illustrate this idea. Henchard is at one point the most powerful person in a small town called Casterbridge. He is the wealthiest person and commands the most respect, but Hardy shows some terrible characteristics of Henchard. Because of Henchard's pride and ego, he loses his fame and fortune and becomes a part of the lowest working class. There, while exhibiting some of his cruder qualities, he also shows signs of true affection to others. While Henchard is the mayor, he scolds the chronincly late Abel for being tardy. Henchard is in Abel's hut, and demands the following from Abel who is just waking up: "' Out of bed, sir, and off to the granary, or you leave my employ today! 'Tis to teach ye a lesson. March on; never mind your britches'" (169)!
"' Well though the case is a desperate one, I am bound to admit that I have never met a debtor who behaved more fairly. I've proved the balance-sheet to be as honestly made out as it could possibly be..."(293). Though out The Mayor of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy tries to convey the sorriness in the most regal places, and the greatness in the most wretched of places. In the character Michael Henchard, the reader sees how quickly one's judgment of Henchard changes. We applaud his conduct with the commisioners yet we are irritated by his behavior to Abel. This if nothing else shows how complex we really are. While Henchard shows his flaws when he is rich, he shows respectability and honesty while being poor. In his lowest point where he declares bankruptcy, Henchard, not only does not hide his possesions, he shows the creditors things worth some money that the creditors do not know about such as a golden watch. These are the words of praise given by the commissioner to Henchard about his honesty: nishment, he is a grown man and such punishments like those fall into th
Some common words found in the essay are:
Henchard Henchard, Henchard Abel's, Henchard Henchard's, Thomas Henchard, Scottish Henchard, Michael Henchard, Thomas Hardy, Farfrae Henchard's, , Hardy Henchard's, henchard decides, henchard's business, day festival, mayor casterbridge, thomas hardy, mayor casterbridge thomas, henchard's pride, casterbridge thomas,
Approximate Word count = 726
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
