Summary:
In Chapter 17 of Thomas Hardy's "Mayor of Casterbridge," Henchard's feelings overwhelm the way he behaves and acts. Elizabeth Jane is portrayed as taking actions that could disgrace her. Farfrae stays loyal and respectful of Henchard.
Chapter 17 of Thomas Hardy's "Mayor of Casterbridge" continues to develop an understanding of how Henchard's feelings overwhelms the way he behaves and the action he takes.
The chapter begins where Elizabeth Jane's character is being portrayed. Her character could bring her to disgrace as she is found dancing with other town members and Farfrae in particular in the town event. Elizabeth Jane as the Mayor's step daughter, her reputation was very important. The theme of reputation between characters re occurs during the novel and is an important theme between all the characters and scenes throughout.
Henchard had recently dismissed Farfrae because of his jealousy of the relationship between Farfrae and Elizabeth Jane developing.
We have a clear portrayal of Farfrae's character as he stays loyal and respectful of Henchard although he has been dismissed on unfair terms. Farfrae knew why Henchard's dismissed him but did not directly say to Elizabeth Jane, 'darkness makes people truthful'. Hardy emphases Farfrae character as being loyal as when Farfrae told Elizabeth Jane that he'll 'not come up to your door... lest to make your father angry'. From this Hardy has presented both Henchard's and Farfrae opinion and attitude of each other completely opposite. 'Farfrae character was the reverse of Henchards'
Farfrae was going to ask marriage of Elizabeth Jane, 'I would ask you something in a short time', but fate drives them apart as Elizabeth does not want to betray her father and Farfrae became pre occupied in his new business and further on in Lucetta. This is also another important theme in the novel, the determination into fate.
Fate and character plays an important question throughout plot development, whether it is the characters actions that determine the future of a person or whether it is purely fate.
Elizabeth Jane is a naive character and rather than ask questions about what Donald had suggested, she 'remained incompetently silent'. Although she does express her feeling for Donald, explaining that she 'wish he wouldn't go at all'.
'It was quickly known in Casterbridge that Farfrae and Henchard had decided to dispense with each other 'this could foreshadow later events that news travels fast and the consequences. Jopp finds out about the hidden past relationship between Lucetta and Henchard and soon enough the rustic people have set up a skimity ride to humiliate Lucetta and ruin her reputation. As a consequence leads to Lucetta death.
Farfrae had been given the opportunity to start his own business 'in opposition to Mr. Henchard', could this be fate that would determine his stay in Casterbridge. At this point Elizabeth Jane and Farfrae liked each other and were both thinking about marriage but Elizabeth Jane is sensible and does not want to get her hopes up as she has not felt like this before so she tells herself that 'such dreams are not for you'.
During the developing relationship between Elizabeth Jane and Farfrae Hardy emphasises how Henchard is feeling. The repetition of 'I' emphasises that Henchard is upset and he does not think that he is doing wrong by dismissing Farfrae and not agreeing with there relationship, he believes that Farfrae has 'defied' him. Hardy presents Henchard as a man of character. This could influence the suicide of Henchard at the end of the novel. Henchard had become less popular because of his character and the way he has acted.
Henchard has made Elizabeth Jane promise not to see Farfrae any more and because of her loyalty to her father she agrees. Elizabeth may also have done this because she is unsure about her affection for Farfrae and that if she is attractive enough for him, and therefore she sticks to her father's wishes.
Farfrae business was becoming exceedingly successful. Hardy emphasises the good will of Farfrae character by showing his loyalty and honourable character from where Farfrae 'kept clear of his former friend and employer's customers'. The theme of fate and character determination re occurs. Is it fate that his business is successful of his character? 'Farfrae character was the reverse of Henchards' so in this case 'character is fate'
Hardy yet again emphasises the goodness of Farfrae character. Farfrae 'discontinue attentions to Elizabeth Jane', although 'he has felt a considerable interest in her'. This shows that he respects Henchard. 'Thus the incipient attachment was stifles down' this was the end of their romantic attraction.
Henchards past had now caught up with him. Elizabeth Jane and Susan had returned and later on in the novel Lucetta returns. Henchard had never forgiven him self. We know this from the oath he took and kept to. We also know that this oath is to end soon. This could foreshadow later events and what is to happen once he starts drinking again. Henchards never forgave him self so he took his anger and hurt out on Farfrae as his rival but he very much liked him as Hardy emphasises. This chapters main emphases is on Henchard and his character.
This is the complete article, containing 838 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
