The Mayor of Casterbridge

Question: In what ways in the novel the Mayor of Casterbridge Michael Henchards appearance, character and fate were shown to be the opposite of Donald Farfrae? Answer: In Thomas Hardys novel the Mayor of Casterbridge the author have put some light over some of the main physical and personality differences between the two highlighting characters of the novel, Henchard and Farfrae. Beside physical and personality variances, their fates were also opposite to each other and hence a whole lot of disparity between the main characters of the novel. Michael Henchard the main character of the novel was in many aspects the opposite of Farfrae. Physically, he was a strong tall man with dark eyes and dark complexion, where Farfrae was a short man with bright eyes and fair complexion. Their physical appearance differed a lot showcasing about the different personality, confidence and attitude traits (Draper, 1983). Moreover, the physical difference may call for the personality variance with Henchard being a man of dark motives and dark fate whereas the character of Farfrae being bright, innovative and ambitious. The character, Michael Henchard was shown to be an emotional, impulsive, depressed, and aggressive and not well-educated person. Throughout the story, Henchard has prone to act impulsively, and later due to its bad outcome, he was regretting and was punishing himself for his bad decisions. For example, during the first chapter when Michael along with his wife, Sussan was on his way to find a work as a trusser on a farm, he got too drunk and then he started talking about selling his wife, he said ch played havoc on his life. The act of selling his wife was one of the most heinous act done giving a negative impression to the readers. Besides punishing himself, he was still continuously making impulsive mistakes. The negativity of his character is sustained throughout his life and hence makes him as a shadowed personality. Henchard assigned Farfrae to settle his business without knowing him and then when he saw that Farfrae has succeeded and the people of Casterbridge are paying him more respect he started having jealousy for Farfrae. This trait showed the weakness of his character in which he was incompetent (Hardy, 1994) and had no confidence over his stance. Henchard's manner towards Farfrae insensibly became more reserved. He was courteous too courteous and Farfrae was quite surprised at the good breeding which now for the first time showed itself among the qualities of a man he had hitherto thought undisciplined, if warm and sincere. (Chapter 16, paragraph, 1) On the other hand Farfrae was shown to be a kind, calm, cheerful, forgiving, practical and an educated person. Farfrae was taking many considerations before making any decision which led him succeed in every aspect. He actually dwelled deeper into the problem of the farmers of Casterbridge by providing a system for revolutionizing the business. After enhancement of the fame and respect for Farfrae, Henchard started calling Farfrae his rival. When Farfrae started his own business, he was still trying to act gentle and kind towards Henchard, like not accepting those customers who were used to be Henchards customers. So determined was he to do nothing which should seem like trade-antagonism to the Mayor that he refused his first customera large farmer of good reputebecause Henchard and this man had dealt together within the preceding three months. "He was once my friend," said Farfrae, "and it's not for me to take business from him. I am sorry to disappoint you, but I cannot hurt the trade of a man who's been so kind to me." (Chapter 17) These incidents give strong evidence of the fact that Farfrae was kind at heart and a man of purpose. He never intrigued into the business of others and believed in himself with the power of his mind using creativity and innovation (Paterson, 1959) as tools for development and success. He is depicted as a model man of science and has a degree of intellectual competence to have a charismatic personality. On another incident Farfrae showed his kindness and respect to their workers, when Henchard behaved very rudely with one of his workers (Abel Whittle) and went to his home and marched on him when he was late for work. Henchard makes Whittle march up the street to work for him on his undercloth. But when Farfrae came he asked Whittle: "Get back home, and slip on your breeches, and come to work like a man! If ye go not, you'll ha'e your death standing there!" "I'm afeard I mustn't! Mr. Henchard said" "I don't care what Mr. Henchard said, nor anybody else! 'Tis simple foolishness to do this. Go and dress yourself instantly Whittle." "Hullo, hullo!" said Henchard, coming up behind. "Who's sending him back?" All the men looked towards Farfrae. "I am," said Donald. "I say this joke has been carried far enough." "And I say it hasn't! Get up in the waggon, Whittle." "Not if I am manager," said Farfrae. "He either goes home, or I march out of this yard for good." (Chapter 29) Henchard is hence depicted as a mercurial man with a heartless fate. On the other hand, Farfrae was a peaceful and calm man with a strength of personality and kindness towards all. Beside physical and personality differences, Henchard and Farfreas fate was also totally opposite and indeed whatever Henchard loses, Farfrae gains it. This was irony and misfortune of the life of Henchard and a treasure for Farfrae. Throughout the novel, Henchard has lost many key relationships. At the beginning he lost Sussan and his daughter, Elizabeth Jane when he sold them. Later on, when he had an affair with Lucetta, she forgot Henchard for Farfrae when she noticed little interest from Henchard. She eventually, rejected Henchards proposal and agreed to marry Farfrae. "Yes. With Mr. Farfrae. O Michael! I am already his wife. We were married this week at Port-Bredy. There were reasons against our doing it here. Mr. Grower was a witness because he happened to be at Port-Bredy at the time." Henchard stood as if idiotized. She was so alarmed at his silence that she murmured something about lending him sufficient money to tide over the perilous fortnight. "Married him?" said Henchard at length. "My goodwhat, married him whilstbound to marry me?" "It was like this," she explained, with tears in her eyes and quavers in her voice; "don'tdon't be cruel! I loved him so much. Henchard lost his business, fame and respect of people of Casterbridge to Farfrae who with the help of his intelligence and presence of mind was able to work better and provide suitable solutions. Later on, Henchard lost Lucettas love to Farfrae (Lerner, 1975) because of his charm, kind heartedness and attractive personality. Several years later, when Henchard reunited with Sussan and Elizabeth Jane, but soon he again lost Sussan as she died and she revealed a big secret to Henchard through her letter. According to the letter Sussan wrote to Michael that Elizabeth Jane is not your Elizabeth Jane the child who was in my arm when you sold me. No she died three months after that, and this living one is my other husbands.(Chapter 19, Paragraph 2, page 118). Conclusion I believe the author Thomas Hardy through many incidents and occasions has shown that Farfrae and Henchard were opposite to each other in many aspects. While the fate seems to be cruel to Henchard from the beginning of the novel, Farfrae was receiving success in every step of his life. Differences in personalities resulted into difference in fates because of the deeds done in the entire lifetime of both the characters of the novel. The thesis hence developed to dwell deeper into the personality differences of Henchard and Fanfrae revealed some of the inherent personality traits with remarks on their attitudes and fates leading to different directions of life. References 1. Draper, R. P. (1983). The Mayor of Casterbridge.Critical Quarterly,25(1), 57-70.2. Hardy, T. (1994). The Mayor of Casterbridge. 1886.Reprint, Ware: Wordsworth.3. Paterson, J. (1959). " The Mayor of Casterbridge" as Tragedy.Victorian Studies,3(2), 151-172.4. Lerner, L. (1975).Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge: tragedy or social history?. Published for Sussex University Press by Chatto Windus.