Summary:
A discussion of Thomas Hardy's portrayal of protagonist Michael Henchard in "The Mayor of Casterbridge." Focuses on Henchard's relationships with other characters in the novel.
At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to our protagonist Michael Henchard as a 21-year old hay-trusser who holds little stature within the community. He does not act in a respectable manner, is selfish and seems only to care about himself. He does not even appear to have any consideration for his young wife and infant child as is evident by the fact that he sells them to a complete stranger. Furthermore, he drinks heavily and recklessly, showing no maturity, sense of decency, responsibility or judgement.
Although his living situation is not detailed at the beginning of the novel, it can be assumed that he lived very basically with his family. They travelled by foot with few possessions. They were not poor for he was a skilled labourer, and "they were not ill-clad." However, his living conditions change dramatically throughout the course of the novel.
His stature also changes considerably through the novel. Although the specifics of it are not mentioned, he rises impressively up the ranks of the social, political and business ladder. Henchard becomes the Mayor of Casterbridge and is well-respected as a mayor and a person. However, as the novel progresses, Henchard's stature begins to diminish, partially from his own doing. He becomes needlessly competitive with Farfrae and eventually loses his position as mayor, his material possessions and his relationship with his step-daughter.
When Susan and Elizabeth-Jane Newson reunite with Henchard after eighteen years, he is described as "a man about forty years of age, of heavy frame, large features, and commanding voice, his general build being rather coarse than compact. He had a rich complexion which verged on swarthiness, and dark bushy brows and hair." As mayor, was a man that commanded respect through his actions and his stature. He dress was suited for his position. For example, one time, his dress included a "fashioned evening suit, an expanse of frilled shirt, jewelled studs and a heavy gold chain."
Michael Henchard possesses a personality that is, at times, impulsive and self-centred, but other times is portrayed as welcoming and generous. However, the times that he appears to be generous, such as when he took in Farfrae, are only done through his own selfish motivation. The times that he appears to be altruistic only appear when he is trying to correct his past wrongs or preventing the truth from escaping. For instance, when he buys Susan and Elizabeth-Jane a cottage, he is only doing this in order to put his guilt to rest.
Henchard's relationship with Farfrae is the most telling of his personality. He initially appears generous but soon turns competitive. He becomes convinced that Farfrae is trying to replace him and eventually attempts to kill him. Although their meaningful relationship is quite short-lived, it is clear that the two did form a unique and inseparable bond. Henchard describes Farfrae as a man whom he truly loved.
Henchard's relationship with Susan, although at times intimate, is actually forced and superficial. Henchard is very generous to Susan when she comes back, but the truth remains that she is a woman that he never loved, and his relationship with her is only undertaken to ease his troubled conscience.
Henchard's relationship with Elizabeth-Jane begins positively. She respects his authority, and he loves her because he believes that she is his own daughter. However, when Henchard discovers that Elizabeth-Jane is actually Newson's daughter, their relationship deteriorates. It ends tragically as they never get a chance to reconcile before his death. He does make a valiant attempt in bringing her the goldfinch, but it dies unnoticed, just as Henchard ultimately does.
Although there are clearly many changes in Henchard's life, both in stature and in profession, they are ultimately superficial. He remains the same selfish, self-centred character that we were first introduced to. Susan points this out numerous times, one time telling Elizabeth-Jane, "He was always so." These character flaws, along with his past sins, ultimately result in his downfall.
This is the complete article, containing 653 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
