“No – no – I cannot. Don’t press me any more – don’t. I don’t love you – so ‘twould be ridiculous!” P 36
This quote shows her sense of being in control of her own destiny. She does not want to be owned by a man.
The reader is intentionally given the clear impression that Bathsheba is a feminist at the point that she takes over the farm from her uncle. In the 1840’s this was unheard of. One of the only reasons why Bathsheba would have got the farm from her uncle after his death was because she had no brothers. There were no men left in her family so it had to go to her. Bathsheba proves that she is worthy of the farm because she manages to live as the mistress successfully. Gabriel found out about Bathsheba being the mistress of the farm when he overheard a conversation between two workers.
‘On hearing these and other similar remarks a wild thought flashed into Gabriel’s mind that they might be speaking of Bathsheba… and the women alluded to seemed to be the mistress of some estate.’ P 47
When Bathsheba and Troy get married, instead of Bathsheba going to live with Troy in the traditional way, Troy comes and lives at her farm with her. Bathsheba also stays the mistress of the farm and does not let Troy take over. This shows that she would not give up her life for a man she would just let him live in it. When Troy moves in he has very little power over the farm. He just has the respect from the workers because they have no choice.
“Yes – I suppose so; but I feel like new wine in an old bottle here.” P233
Hardy clearly illustrates that Bathsheba is a feminist from her bravery, near the beginning of the novel when Bathsheba is living with her aunt. On a cold night Gabriel decides to warm his hut up by covering the gap under the door to stop the draft and then closing the two vents on either side of the hut leaving the fire on. Gabriel knew that if he had the fire on at least one of the vents had to remain open, but he decided to close them just for a few minutes to allow the hut to warm. Whilst waiting for the hut to become really warm Gabriel slowly fell asleep. His hut filled with carbon monoxide and Bathsheba pulled him out just in time. This shows us that she is not afraid of endangering herself.
“Nothing now, since you are not dead. It is a wonder you were not suffocated in this hut of yours.” P25
This quote is where Bathsheba is answering the question “is everything all right” that Gabriel had asked the moment he had regained conches.
It is no mistake that Hardy emphasises Bathsheba’s feminist ways when there is a storm and Troy and all the workers, apart from Gabriel are all asleep and drunk in the barn after Bathsheba and Troy’s wedding party. All the women have gone to bed whilst the men have a night-cap. Gabriel is the only man that does not to stay for the drink but instead begins his journey back to his hut. On his way he sees signs from the animals that a storm in on its way so quickly doubles back to see to the eight ricks that have not been covered up. Gabriel can not find anyone to help him so he begins to do it by himself. The storm starts and he is struggling to keep everything under control. Bathsheba arrives and gets onto the ricks to help him. She could have hurt herself just as Gabriel could, but here they are seen working as equals against the elements.
“O Gabriel, and are you! I have come about them. The weather awoke me and I thought of the corn. I am so distressed about it – can we save it anyhow?” P245
It is also quite clear that Bathsheba has non-feminist characteristics; quite a major one is her vanity. She is very bothered about the way she looks and the way she acts around people, especially men. When she is on her way to her aunt’s she gets out a looking glass to see her reflection and uses a mirror to put on her night – cap before she goes to sleep even though no-one will see her. She also thinks herself, above others. When Gabriel paid her toll she didn’t even say thank you.
“But she has her faults”
“Vanity.” P13
The quote above is part of a conversation between the toll worker and Gabriel when they were talking of her beauty.
When Troy dies she becomes weak and starts to rely on others to do her work. She is dejected and unlike her old self, as before she would help out with the jobs that needed doing but after Troy’s death she would not do this. The only reason why she began to take interest in the farm again was because she had to.
‘But she remained alone now for the greater part of her time, and stayed in the house, or at furthest went into the garden.’ P376
In conclusion I would say that Bathsheba Everdene is a feminist woman but not consistently. She uses her beauty to get what she wants, which gives everybody the feeling that she is very insecure in herself. But I would agree that she is an effective feminist when this suits her objectives at the time and she is clearly happy to use her femininity to achieve her ends.
