Name: The Mayor of Casterbridge
Author: Thomas Hardy

The Mayor of Casterbridge | Detailed Summary and Characters

"The Mayor of Casterbridge" is a famous English novel written by Thomas Hardy. The novel was published in 1886 and is considered one of Hardy's most prominent and intensive novels.

This novel is the story of a person named Michael Henchard, who becomes the mayor of Casterbridge city from a farmer. But his past and his wrong decisions ruin his life.

👉 Main Themes

Deeds and results - What we do affects our lives.

Regret and forgiveness - A person cannot run away from his old sins.

Complexity of human nature - How a person is full of both good and bad feelings.

👉 Analysis of main characters

1. Michael Henchard

A complex and tragic character.

Angry, self -respecting but at the same time repentant.

His upliftment and collapse are the basic basis of the novel.

His decisions and behavior causes his own ruin.

2. Donald Farfrae

A young, clever and gratitude businessman.

Ethically strong, behavior efficient and popular.

Unlike Henchard, his life grows in a positive direction.

He loves Elizabeth-Jen and finally marries her.

3. Elizabeth-Jane Newson

Susan and Newson's daughter, but Henchard considers her his daughter.

She is a calm, sensible, sensitive and loyal woman.

Due to its gentle nature, the readers get sympathy.

4. Susan Henchard

Henchard's wife who returns with her daughter.

A woman of calm nature who tolerates circumstances.

Trys to hide her past, but in the end the truth is revealed.

5. Lucetta Templeman

Henchard's ex -girlfriend, who later marries Farfrey.

After her social reputation falls, she breaks down mentally and dies.

👉 "The Mayor of Casterbridge" - Detailed Summary

The novel begins with a rural man Michael Henchard, who is traveling on foot with his wife Susan and younger daughter Elizabeth-Jen. Troubled by heat and tiredness, they stay in a fair. There, Henchard gets drunk after drinking alcohol and in anger; he sells his wife and daughter to a sailor Newson - only for five guineas. (1 guinea = £1.05) (£1 = Rs. 113.24 apx.)

Regrets and changes:

The next morning Henchard realizes his mistake. He takes an oath, filled with regrets that he will not drink alcohol for 21 years. He tries to rectify his mistake and starts a new life.

Henchard's progress:

He settled in the city of Casterbridge and becomes a successful merchant by hard work. Over time he becomes the mayor of the city - a respected and powerful person.

The old past returns:

About 18 years later, Susan returns with her daughter Elizabeth-Jen. Newson has gone missing in the sea. Susan meets Henchard again and they get married again. Henchard now adopts Elizabeth-Jen as his daughter.

Donald Farfrae’s arrival:

Donald Farfrae, a young and clever Scottish merchant, helps Henchard and becomes a confidant. Henchard makes him a partner in his business. But over time, Farfrae becomes more popular and successful, causing jealousy within the Henchard.

Confusion and collapse in relationships:

After Susan's death, it is revealed that Elizabeth-Jen is not the daughter of Henchard in real, but the daughter of Newson. Henchard breaks down but tries to maintain his relationship with Elizabeth.

Ferfrae starts in love with Elizabeth-Jen, and Henchard does not like this relationship. He removes Farfrae out of his business. But Farfrae still becomes the new mayor of the city with his ability.

Fall of Henchard:

Henchard's business and social reputation end. Elizabeth-Jen is married to Farfrae. Henchard begins to live a completely alone and anonymous life.

Finally, he dies in a hut, and in a letter expresses the desire that no one remembers him after his death, neither a memorial nor offering any flowers.

👉 Characteristics of the novel

Hardy’snovel, "The Mayor of Casterbridge" is a tragedy (sorrow).

It depicts the Victorian society, ethics, and personal struggle deeply.

Language and description are very impressive and digestive.

👉 The Mayor of Casterbridge - Questions and Answers

Question 1: Who is the author of the novel "The Mayor of Casterbridge"?

Answer: The author of this novel is Thomas Hardy.

Question 2: The main story of the novel revolves around which character?

Answer: The main story revolves around the life, upliftment and collapse of a person named Michael Henchard.

Question 3: Why and how Henchard sold his wife and daughter?

Answer: Henchard came into an alcohol intoxication, anger and disappointment and sold his wife and daughter to a sailor in just five guineas in a fair.

Question 4: What oath did Henchard take after regretting his actions?

Answer: Henchord took an oath that he would not drink alcohol for 21 years.

Question 5: Who was Donald Farfrae and what was it?

Answer: Donald Ferfrae was a young, intelligent and successful Scottish merchant, who becomes an assistant to Henchard. Later he becomes a rival of Henchard and Elizabeth-Jane's husband.

Question 6: Whose daughter was actually Elizabeth-Jane?

Answer: Elizabeth-Jane was actually Newson's daughter, but Henchard raised her as his daughter.

Question 7: How does Henchard die?

Answer: The Henchard finally dies while living alone, anonymous and unhappy life. He writes in his last letter that no one remembers him after his death, nor should he become a memento.

Question 8: What is the main message of the novel?

Answer: The main message of this novel is that the decision, ego and old sin of a person affect his life, and eventually can also collapse it. Self actions and remorse are its main themes.

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