Later on in the story, Henchard plans to remarry Susan, but it seems that it is a duty to him, because there is no love, care or fondness mentioned and he may be trying to hide the past. We see this when he says that the plan would leave his "shady, headstrong, disgraceful" life when he was young "absolutely unopened". He also confesses that he is a "woman hater" and there doesn't seem to be any mention of romantic love after the remarriage.
After Susan dies, Henchard doesn't grieve or show any sadness towards her and regards the situation with a "matter of factness" attitude. He then takes an interest in Lucetta, a woman with whom he had a relationship with whilst in Jersey. But however he is still more concerned about his pride than his feelings for Lucetta. This is displayed when he decides not to see her when she cancels their first appointment. His anger is displayed when he says that "there's not an inch of straight grain" in the women. Henchard only seems to like Lucetta when he finds out that Farfrae is interested in her too. His love is metaphorically compared to a "smouldering" fire "fanned by inaccessibility".
Throughout the story, Henchard is alone. His lonely character plays a major role in the story line and Hardy uses Biblical quotes to emphasise Henchard's loneliness such as a "less scrupulous Job" and a "repentant sinner". Hardy also uses symbolism to highlight the rivalry between Henchard and Farfrae, through the bread that they fight over and the two wagons parked outside Lucetta's place of residence.
The only instances of any love we see is in his friendship with Farfrae and his paternal love of Elizabeth-Jane. His friendship with Farfrae is displayed when he has his arm around Farfrae's shoulder. This friendship perishes when people speak higher of Farfrae than of Henchard. His paternal love of Elizabeth-Jane is shown when they "enjoyed much serenity" in the "pleasant sunny corner". This may symbolise the relationship between the two.
Donald Farfrae's relationships in the story are also are also unconventional. In the relationship with Elizabeth-Jane, he begins an attachment with her, but it is not a passionate affair. Early in the story, he notices her and likes her but quickly forgets about her when he meets Lucetta. Susan then writes anonymous letters to both Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae to try and spark a relationship between them. Their love starts when he says he'll sing to her "wi' pleasure". Their relationship begins to grow. This is shown when he says "I would ask you something in a short time", this hints at a proposal. But shortly after, he quickly and coldly abandons the relationship by "stifling down" Henchard's request to "discontinue" seeing Elizabeth-Jane.
Farfrae then starts a relationship with Lucetta, but it is Lucetta who flirts and flatters him (when she says "I will always look out for you"). When he proposes to marry her, his proposal mentions her wealth, where he says " you are much sought after for your position, wealth, talents and beauty". When Lucetta dies, Farfrae is reasoned and calm, showing almost no grief for his late wife,this is displayed when it says that "it was hard to believe that life with her would have have been productive of further happiness".
Fafrae then resumes his relationship with Elizabeth-Jane after a respectable period of time. When the wedding plans are being arranged, Farfrae seems to be deadly serious about them. The wedding itself though seems to be a gaiety of Newson's making rather than the couple's.
Farfrae is more concerned with money and business, love comes second in the priority list. This is displayed when he asks Lucetta "you are rich?", says that staying at an Inn overnight will put a "hole in a sovereign" and where Abel Whittle gets paid "a shilling a week less". Farfrae seems to be moderate about everything.
In the end, neither marriage was successful romantically. The characters are more concerned with other types of love e.g. business and presentation of pride.
By Allen Hoten
