Once Gabriel realizes that he has lost his wealth he does not waste time sulking but instead gets ready for the next phase of his life. It says “Stupors, however, do not last forever, and Farmer Oak recovered from his”. This shows the reader how strong-minded he is.
In chapter 6 Gabriel is passing a farm and notices that one of the hayricks are on fire. Ironically this is Bathsheba’s farm, though Gabriel did not know this at that certain point. He helps to save them though he does not know whose they are. This shows me that Gabriel is a friendly person who treats others with the respect. It also shows that he is a caring person.
We are also shown that Gabriel Oak is a natural leader. On page 52 he is giving orders to strangers and everyone was listening to him. He also managed to organize the ramble of workers into an assembly line. The leadership skills help shine out his strong personality.
We are also shown that Gabriel is very knowledgeable about farming matters. This is shown when he manages to get the fire under control. We are also told about his skill when Bathsheba and her servant are talking.
Just before chapter 21 Farmer Oak was dismissed from the farm by Bathsheba. At the beginning of this chapter all of the sheep have swallowed young clover. This is fatal for the sheep and as a result Bathsheba faces becoming destitute just like Gabriel was.
This chapter emphasizes how skilled Gabriel is. In the chapter it says that an operation is needed in the sheep and that only one man knows how to perform it. Ironically, this is Gabriel and the fact that he is the only one in the community that has the skill to do this shows just how unique the farmer is.
We also see Gabriel stand up for himself in chapter 21. Bathsheba orders him to come back even though she fired him in the previous chapter and Gabriel refuses telling her to ask politely. By standing up to her we are shown that Gabriel recognizes how important he is in Bathsheba’s life and also that he demands respect.
In chapter 21 we find out that Gabriel cannot hold a grudge with Bathsheba. She offers him back his job and Gabriel accepts. I believe that Gabriel came back because he felt that he was finally getting some respect (if not visible) from Bathsheba. This shows me that Gabriel is a determined man.
In chapters 36 and 37 a vicious storm is underway and it is up to Gabriel to save the farm. These chapters once again stress the knowledge possessed by Gabriel about farming matters and his ability to predict nature. At the beginning of chapter 36 Gabriel is looking up at the sky and we are given a description of the storm that is coming. Later on in the chapter it also says that Gabriel notices a slug and two spiders preparing for the rain. Also he notices that the sheep are faced away from the storm. Gabriel’s ability to read nature is very important for farmers.
We are once again shown that Gabriel is a very determined man. He is putting his love for Bathsheba informed of everything and is even risking his own lfe by working in those conditions yet with nobody fit enough or willing to help him he is the only able man left. This also shows bravery.
During the storm Bathsheba comes out to help Gabriel and they work together for a while and have a long conversation. However Gabriel once again puts his love for Bathsheba first and tells her that her help is not needed. This shows that he does not want Bathsheba getting hurt in the storm even though this would result in Gabriel staying out for longer.
The book shows that Gabriel Oak’s character is so strong, knowledgeable and pure that he is able to overcome the tests given to him by Mother Nature. Gabriels purity helps him through life, his knowledge enables him to put right what nature has made wrong and his strength and determination show that Gabriel can cope with any problem that is thrown his direction. I believe that these are the qualities that help Gabriel Oak get a mastery of Nature.