Gabriel is as God designed us to be, and has no resemblance to the people of the cities. He does not toy with others emotions and neither does he tell a lie. This is why he expresses to Bathsheba that what she has done is wrong and that she is responsible for Boldwoods state of mind. As a result of her wounded pride, she dismisses him from the farm.
However, when her sheep eat too much clover, it is recognised throughout the neighbourhood that he is the only man who can sort out this problem. He is put above other shepherds and his great skill is recognised here. Bath knows this but her pride prevents her from calling the assistance of Oak. It is a stubborn streak in her character arising out of pride, which is reminiscent in sergeant Troy. Eventually she realises that she must choose between her sheep or her pride and sends a messenger saying that he “must” come. However, oak's intention is that to teach her a lesson and sends back the messenger demanding that Bathsheba asks “civilly”.
Oak and Bath's relationship is quite unsettled. It suggests that her father was a womaniser, and because of this, I believe that she created an image on what a man should be. In other words, every male should have the traits of her father, good looking, confidant and romantic.
With this “criteria” her search for a man became difficult. “He wasn’t quite good enough for me.” Oak was obviously interested in her; only her vanity blinded her to what he truly felt. Troy was only interested in her physical appearance while Boldwood only fantasised due to her scheming tactics to win him over. All the while, Oak remained at one with nature, his high status among the community failed to be recognised in the eyes of Bath, although she did admire his skilful hands whilst shearing the sheep. Being stunning and flirtatious, it was all the more difficult for Oak to reach, for she constantly searched for a better man. Unfortunately she found it undoubtedly in Troy. Oak, compared to Baths “ideal” thoughts in a man were shockingly different. Oak is much more simple minded. The full extent of his simplicity can be seen in his proposal to Bath. It is devout of any romance and as of this, he is doomed to failure in his attempts to woo bath. He offers her a simple life in the cottage where they can play the piano and live happily when this is not what she wants at all. “ Come…think a minute or two…will you marry me? I can
Make you happy…you shall have a piano.” She wants action and does not wish to settle down and lead a slow life. Bathsheba is not interested in the mundane and ordinary and wishes to be tied up in romantic adventures. She has a wild spirit and it is not until this spirit is halted that she will be worthy of Oak and able to see his positive qualities. “She was going to be a governess once, only her spirit was too wild”. In the beginning of the book, her views on positive qualities are tainted and unjustified. She sees attraction in the corrupt men such as Troy. Her superficiality and vanity prevents her from seeing the horrible truth about troy. Oak can see Troy's faults and dishonesty, but until Bathsheba is educated she will not be able to.
Because of his lack of romance, he failed to woo bath. Which is exactly what the superficial Bath wanted in a relationship. Constant wooing and flirtatious behaviour is what she desires. It must be noted though that this is a flaw in Bath rather than in Oak.
After she denies his proposal, his flock was slaughtered, his income, everything he owned, the means by which he lived, is lost. “All the savings of a frugal life had been dispersed.” Because of this, he had nothing to offer his beloved Bath, and therefore was half-glad she didn’t accept his hand in marriage. Gabriel is obviously very dismayed and the acceptance of this tragedy by Oak in this stoic manner is a reflection of his character. It is an indication of Oaks bright positive attitude, not seeing the glass half empty but rather half full. This incident in particular was looked upon as an excuse, his acceptance of tragedy made him optimistic. “Thank God I am not married”
Therefore, I conclude that Gabriel’s main fault in not being able to win over Bathsheba in the beginning of the book is that he is a simple, caring and calm individual. “He was young man of sound judgement, easy motions, proper dress and general good character”. However, these are not flaws but positive qualities. The problem is that Bathsheba starts off like the populations in the municipal, and has turned her back on the indispensable qualities in Oak. It is only after Bathsheba has experienced much pain and hardship from her vain and superficial actions, she can finally see that what she has done is wrong. Then, Bathsheba will finally be able to appreciate the wise words of Oak and see that his good qualities are the ones that will manufacture happiness and the ideal life.
I would say that the quality that separates Oak's qualities with many of the society in Hardy's lifetime and ours, in that he sees other interests above his own. This is a rarity and to find someone like this is a revelation. This is because the human instinct is greedy but Oak shows no sign of this. He is even willing to promote Boldwood so that Bathsheba does not marry troy and get hurt in the process. This is a true act of selflessness and such acts as this is not common. “He would base his appeal on what he considered the unfair treatment of Boldwood”.
Throughout her confusion with men, Bath feels for Sgt Troy, but cannot see his corruptness. Her mind is still not educated enough unlike Oak who can see that Troy will only bring unhappiness. This is another example of Oak’s good judgement and it is seen here that he is on a higher plateau to bath, in that he can see these faults such as in Troy very clearly. He knows that Troy will manipulate Bathsheba and wishes to protect her.
There is dramatic irony present, for she does not see devastating fate foreseen in her future. Otherwise, if she were to stay with Oak, he is the safest option, perhaps not the most romantic, but definitely where true love stands in Oaks eyes.
Her thoughtlessness and “care-free” approach remains throughout the book, she expresses this through her non-consideration of consequences and feelings when sending Boldwood the valentine, leading him on and giving him attention made his mind obsessed and bedazzled by her. “When Bathsheba’s figure shone upon the farmer’s eyes it lightened him up as the moon lights up a great tower”.
Oaks mind is very plain, he knows he is the better Shepard and farmer but remains modest and un-vain. He shows his talent well, when he, among all the farmers is the only one with the knowledge to cure the sheep (when they ate too much clover). Because of this, Bath was forced to call upon him for the second time to help; she was to make a decision between her sheep and her pride. At first, the stubborn streak in her character rejected his call of assistance. With no choice in the matter, her way around the problem was to send someone else to ask for help, rather than her do it herself. This was obviously noted by Oak as he sent the messenger back, asking for a “civil” approach. In doing so he was teaching her a lesson, making her stand up to her self, not to become weak in asking, but to be strong in character. She was to request his aid in a letter. From then onwards he remained on the farm.
Another important aspect is when Bathsheba is initially described. All emphasis is on her beauty and vanity and not on important qualities such as a good will. She is seen looking in a mirror and seems only concerned about her appearance. She does not seem to have any positive qualities beside her beauty. The evidence towards her vanity is as she “looks in the glass”.
This is why is use to being the centre of attention and adores it. Therefore, when Boldwood does not take any notice of her and disregards her, it causes her much annoyance as it dents her pride. Bathsheba wishes to be admired by everyone and when this is not the case, she acts upon it to ensure that Boldwood will take notice of her. This is where some of her thoughtlessness and insensitivity is shown. She sends a valentine to Boldwood and does not consider the consequences of her actions. The valentine fascinates Boldwood and his obsession towards Bathsheba begins. Bathsheba begins to regret sending the valentine as she sees the effect that it ha had on Boldwood. she does show some kinds of remorse and regret, but she keeps that side of her hidden. “His equilibrium disturbed, he was in extremity at once”. It is evidence that Bathsheba has a conscience but does not let herself act upon it. “Concluded that she was herself responsible for Boldwood’s appearance there. The only time I recognised her act of kindness is her excuse for turning down bolwoods proposal, she seems to create a superior image but contradicts herself when turning down bolwood's proposal by saying “you’re too dignified to suit me for." Thus, she is just making excuses to make him happier, to feel better about himself, by giving herself credit, believing she can be a nice person with a complement.
However, boldwoods obsession cannot be halted and when she marries Troy, he is angered greatly.
It is clear to see the affection Oak has for Bath. With her not around, his skill at fast shearing is faultless, but once distracted by her, accidents happen and concentration goes downhill, as you can see when he strips the groin of a sheep in attempt to overhear a conversation between Bath and Boldwood.
She eventually accepts Bolwoods hand in marriage, but after giving him hope of a future she once again is unsettled and becomes captivated by another man, Troy. Troy’s flattery appeals to her immensely as they are equally flirtatious with one another. Only Troy was only interested in her physical appearance. – Unlike bollwood. “It was a fatal omission of boldwood, that he’d never once told her that she was beautiful”
Its obvious how Oak feels for Bathsheba, but she is torn between the choices of men interested in her. In a way she doesn’t realise how each man truly feels for her, and is blinded by sweet talk and flirtatious manners of Troy. Oak on the other hand, as of his non-experience in a love life, therefore cannot properly woo her, the way she would like. All three men, Troy, Oak and Bellwood, are all after her, but only Oak feels passionate about her. Bath fails to realise since she thinks she wants more in a man than simplicity. In other words, she is in search of a romantic lifestyle. She fantasises tremendously, unlike oak, which is just looking for happiness.
Bathsheba goes through a learning curve during the book. She goes through much anguish, which leads her into insight. This effectively changes her, as he then becomes unmasked to Oak’s “education”. She finally sees that her romantic lifestyle will not bring her happiness and is not important in life. The key ingredient in this change was her experiences, which were triggered by her marriage to Troy.
Bathsheba saw Troy as the idyllic man. He was flattering, kept Bathsheba surprised, but was unfortunately corrupt and deceiving. His flattery appealed to the vanity of Bathsheba and it is evident of the effect he has on her when she is talking with Liddy, shortly after an encounter. “A gay man…. very quick and trim…. such a clever young dand…he’s a doctors son by name which is a great deal: and he’s an earls son by nature.
However, Troy is an untrustworthy man. He contrasts very much to the good will and nature of Oak. He is "moderately untruthful" and was unfamiliar to the idea of love. He saw it as irrelevant and did not respect its meaning. "He could speak of love and think of dinner. He professes his love to Bathsheba, and she falls victim to his flattery and allure. Troy represents corruption and is an evil character. An example of his corruption is seen as he gets the farmers' drunk and denies the possibility of a storm. As of this, the farmers are unable to salvage the harvest, which damages their income greatly. Oak warns the people of the storm and is sure that it will arrive due to his relationship with nature. He ends up saving Bathsheba's harvest as of his good will. He could have been killed in his efforts to save the harvest, which shows his devotion to Bathsheba. Bath is given an obvious lesson as to the worth of Troy and the untrustworthiness of Troy.
Another example of Troy’s sinister and malevolent character can be seen in the way in which he treats Boldwood. Troy relishes from the humiliating circumstance that Boldwood is in and takes pleasure in degrading him. He admits that he prefers Fanny to Bath which hurts Boldwood deeply. Boldwood then feels insignificant and unwanted as Troy can win over Bathsheba despite him not wanting her or loving her like he does. Troy also taunts and tortures Boldwood by claiming that he has slept with Bathsheba. It is proof here that Troy is an evil character in the way he receives joy from the pain he inflicts but despite this Bathsheba still falls for him.
His charm manages to pierce a passage towards Bathsheba’s heart. He succeeds in destroying Bathsheba’s insecurity, which causes her to become obsessed towards him. His appeal in her only lies in her beauty. She laces her heart on a plate for him, only to find that he is using her for the money and farm. What's more, it becomes known that he loves Fanny and not her. This is devastating to her and damages her deeply. There is no greater pain than to be betrayed and used by someone that you love. To add salt to the wounds, she then finds out that Fanny was pregnant with Troy’s child before she died, putting her into a more depressed state. This is despite Oak’s best efforts to protect her from this hurtful truth. On the side of the coffin was chalked on the side “Fanny Robin and child”. Oak erases the last two words in an effort to do Bathsheba a service.
Troy then disappears for his own selfish motives, leaving Bath in a fragile state, overcome with pathos.
When he returns again, he is shot dead by Boldwood who has turned insane. The obsessive passion for Bath drove him to use a Shotgun on Troy. HE wanted to eliminate any possible competition to Bath’s love and saw Troy as an obstacle to Bathsheba’s heart. Bathsheba then has to live with the guilt that she has turned a man insane and caused him to commit such a terrible crime. To make things worse Boldwood nearly kills himself and if he had done so; Bathsheba might have been the next person to turn insane. “She’ll go out of her mind too. Poor thing: her sufferings have been dreadful”.
After these experiences Bath became a completely different person. She comes to regret her impulsiveness and feels sullied by Troy’s influence over her. In her solitude, Bathsheba is in the depths of misery. When she spends the night in a swamp filled hollow, the place is seen as “malignant” and exhaling “the essence of evil things in the earth”. Hardy is using nature here to represent the despair and state of mind of Bathsheba.
Bathsheba longs for “patience and suspension of judgement” but there is “nobody to teach her.” Bathsheba can now see the mistakes that she has done, and thinks of Gabriel’s education and begins to see him as the ideal man. “What a way Oak had…of enduring things.” She tries to go to Oak’s house and ask him for guidance but cannot bring herself to disturb him. She now truly values his qualities and recognises them by giving him the job of Bailiff. Bathsheba has now proceeded through the hardest part of the learning curve. Through her experiences, she has finally admitted to herself that the way she had lived was a false one and that she needed to improve.
Bath is now showing signs that she wishes to improve and that she has learnt o possess a better nature. For instance, she shows tenderness towards the grave of Fanny rather than spite and selfish bitterness. A transition has come about in Bathsheba’s life. “Her original vigorous pride of youth has sickened”. She realises that if she continues on her proud and superficial road, it will lead to a dark future for herself.
The rustic community and Bathsheba’s friends notice that a transformation has occurred within Bathsheba. “Only two years ago she was a romping girl and now she is this!” Bathsheba has given up her urge to be beautiful and has now become a woman that is of good will, love, moral, and is on a path to becoming like Oak. She is even talked about in conjunction with nature, which at the beginning of the book would have been unconsidered.
When Bathsheba is in conversation over the subject with Oak, she accepts his advice and remains calm. This is further proof of her change. Before she was overcome with anger when he was honest with him but on this occasion there was no evidence of her pride being wounded.
She tries to make up for her mistakes, and in doing so must apologise for her actions. For this reason when Boldwood and Bathsheba are in conversation after leaving the fair she admits that her treatment of him was wrong and incorrect. She shows a true sign of change, “Mt treatment of you was thoughtless, inexcusable and wicked.”
She feels a tremendous amount of guilt as of what she has done and agrees to marry him. She admits to Oak that she feels incapable to successfully bearing the burden of Boldwood’s happiness and sanity. Moreover she feels duty bound to assume the responsibility as of her past actions. Bathsheba becomes overcome with fainting fits, and when she comes out of these, we can see the extent of her guilt. “O it is my fault-how can I live! O heaven, how can I live!” She sees the marriage to Boldwood as a debt, which she is obliged to pay off. Bathsheba also accepts his hand in marriage for he showed great strength of emotion and gave into his strong character just like Troy.
However, Boldwood’s flattery does not affect Bathsheba as it earlier did with Troy. The admiration of others has no affect on her and being told that he is beautiful would not make her any happier.
Bathsheba has changed to the extent that she no longer relishes being in the public eye. Her insecurity has disappeared and her vanity has disintegrated. She desires to wear a black dress rather than something bright and colourful that would attract the eye of others. She does not wish to be beautiful anymore.
To complete Bathsheba’s cycle of change, she becomes the one who is chasing Oak. When he decides he is going to California, she sees how reliant she has been upon him and how vulnerable she is without him. Oak’s pending departure to California is necessary in her cathartic regeneration, as she still believes she has a right to Oak’s “hopeless love”. Bathsheba is in tears upon Oak’s letter of resignation and it prompts her to seek Oak rather than vice-versa, which is a sign of a repentant.
Bathsheba is no more the flirty vane materialistic girl as we saw in the beginning of the novel but is now a lady who does not wish to be the centre of attention and wants a quiet simple wedding. On the wedding night she is dressed plainly as she too has become a simpleton just like Oak. “Though so plainly dressed, there was a certain rejuvenated appearance about her”.
Her past experiences had left an imprint on her personality and life. Bathsheba was now a completely new person, modified to live a happy life. She was like a “rose” that shut and become a “bud again”.
By Hesham El-Assra
5FV