What Features of Henchard’s character cause him trouble in the first half of the book?
What Features of Henchard's character cause him trouble in the first half of the book? Michel Henchard is very dominating all through the book and this may be clearly seen in the first half. At the beginning, we can see that Henchard hates women, for example, when he sells his wife to the sailor when he is drunk. He depicts himself as 'something of a woman hater' (page 78), he feels no need for a partner and when he gets back with Susan he treats her and Elizabeth-Jane badly. He also treats Lucetta badly in the way that he leaves her and goes back to Susan without telling Lucetta. Later on he says 'these cursed women - there's not an inch of straight grain in them' (page 151), but while he is cursing them he is always complaining about being lonely. This causes him to get Farfrae to stay in Casterbridge by offering him a job. Henchard is a very impulsive person and is very superstitious, for example, he goes to see a fortune teller who tells him that there is going to be a bad harvest and that he should hold onto the grain and sell it at an inflated price, without asking any questions. The town of Casterbridge then blames him for selling bad grain when the harvest was good. Henchard then has to sell his grain at a lower price. After he has sold his wife he goes to Casterbridge and becomes very successful, but in his business he has a very bad temper and in one case
Michael Henchard brought his troubles upon himself. How far do you agree with this statement?
Michael Henchard brought his troubles upon himself. How far do you agree with this statement? Michael Henchard is a character with traits that have both a positive and negative traits effect on his life. I believe the characteristics that allowed Henchard to rise to social respectability and fall into destitution where the same. "Character is fate"(Plato) For example Henchard stubbornness and pride allowed him to keep his 21-year vow not to drink. This shows his stubbornness brought an aspect forbearance. However the same character traits also made him rely on a prediction from a fortuneteller becoming his financial downfall. This is same aspect of Henchard that made him so forbearing and committed to his wedding vows with Susan. This characteristic allowed him to be reliable, something that greatly assisted him to being respected in the town. However, if he would have not been so honourable and turned Susan away, it may have all worked out better. I can speculate, he could have married Lucetta and her money would have been a great asset to him and his business, not to mention depriving Farfrae of the money. This is an example of how Henchard's passions obstructs his goals. There is also evidence to suggest Henchard is impulsive: for example, Henchard, without taking the time to consider his decision, dismisses Farfrae after the party. Hardy is saying this is
In ‘The mayor of Casterbridge’ Henchard is presented as atypical tragic hero. How far do you agree with this statement?
In 'The mayor of Casterbridge' Henchard is presented as atypical tragic hero. How far do you agree with this statement? 'The mayor of Casterbridge' presents Henchard as atypical tragic hero in that he suffers and dies through his own character and a concentration of events. Firstly, he was an alcoholic; his relationship with Susan and his relationship with Elizabeth-Jane are three points, which show this. Another three are that he had an affair with Lucetta, what happened with Farfrae and fate in general. The first point, which I am going to use to show that he is typical tragic hero, is that he was an alcoholic, this played a big part at the begging of the story. As it was then that he became drunk and sold his wife, Susan and daughter, Elizabeth-Jane. "I'll sell her for five guineas to any man that will pay me the money," so he sold her to a sailor called Newson for five guineas in the furmenty tent at Weydon-Priors Fair. We see that when he gets drunk he does things, which he later regrets. We can tell this as the morning after he sells Susan he wishes that he hadn't and takes an oath not to drink again for twenty-one years. "I, Michael Henchard...take an oath...to avoid all strong liquors...for...21 years" He then goes on to complete his oath by not drinking for twenty-one years, which shows that he is a man who sticks to his principles. The second point that shows
Essay describing the author's views on The Character Michael Henchard.
Essay describing the author's views on The Character Michael Henchard My first impression of the Character Michael Henchard was that he was a fool but as I read on through the book I began to respect him in some way, as he was so honourable while so many bad things were happening. The Character of Michael Henchard Strikes me as being a Tragic Hero type character and after looking at the definition of a Tragic Hero I was certain that Hardy had written that way. The Definition that I read was that "In Greek literature, a tragic hero is a well-known and respected individual whose tragedy usually involves some kind of fall from glory. His downfall has been precipitated by his own flaw of character or judgement, some mistake or series of mistakes that has serious consequences. A key element is that the hero's experiences don't simply end with the mistake or catastrophe; true tragic heroes must come to discover or recognise what has happened to them and ultimately pay their ramifications." As you can see this description fits Michael Henchard in the Mayor of Casterbridge perfectly. It is even more of a tragedy since there was so much embarrassment and scandal surrounding his fall as an important member of Casterbridge. Also at the beginning of the novel Henchard is a poor man, but he gains fortune and respect when he starts his new life in Casterbridge, giving him the
The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. Henchard - Well -Meaning Villain or Tragic Hero?
Henchard - Well -Meaning Villain or Tragic Hero? In the novel 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' by Thomas Hardy, the main character Michael Henchard earns the contempt of many readers due to his strict, arrogant and sometimes cruel and callous nature. But is it right to hold this against him? Does he really deserve all he got? Or should we perhaps feel some sympathy towards him? After all, the disastrous incidents he endures in this book are surely not worthy of anyone, simply due to the fact they may have a negative attitude at times? In some ways, Henchard could be thought of as a 'well-meaning villain,' one who has no principal morals but no particular desire to be heartless or hurtful either. There are some incidents in the story that would suggest a villainous side to Henchard, especially at the beginning and in the closing stages of the book, where his alcoholism gets the better of him and he becomes hotheaded and violent. Instances such as the sale of his wife Susan and baby daughter Elizabeth-Jane to Richard Newson, a complete stranger, at Weydon-Priors Fair, and his drink-inspired fight with Donald Farfrae - who was once his friend - in the granary convey this idea. However, Henchard also has many negative features that are simply part of his personality, which he finds difficult to curb even when he is sober. He is naturally quick to form opinions and agree or object to
The mayor of casterbridge
Pre-1914 Prose Thomas Hardy: The Mayor of Casterbridge Demonstrate how, in the first two chapters of The Mayor of Casterbridge, Hardy presents a powerful image of a central character against a vivid background The book is set in the summer of around 1830, we know this because "before the 19th century had reached one-third of its span." As it was set in the 1830's the landscape would have been very different from today. This is demonstrated from the start of the book. Michael and Susan Henchard are "plainly but not ill clad" This tells us that they are not badly off. On the other hand they are covered in a "thick hoar of dust" telling us that the roads are unpaved. This also implies that although the Henchards are not badly off they cannot afford transport indicating that it is still expensive at this time. Henchard is described as "of fine figure, swarthy, and stern in aspect." His clothing is old fashioned "short jacket of brown corduroy" and a "waistcoat with white horn buttons." This "stale familiarity" between Henchard and Susan is an example of another common theme in the novel, which is that of frustrating and imprisoning relationships. This is portrayed as a normal state as she "appeared to receive it as a natural thing." Susan Henchard is carrying a baby called Elizabeth-Jane. As the Henchards continue they come across a Turnip-Hoer implying that the residents
the mayor of casterbridge
Pre-1914 Prose Thomas Hardy: The Mayor of Casterbridge Demonstrate how, in the first two chapters of The Mayor of Casterbridge, Hardy presents a powerful image of a central character against a vivid background of early 19th Century rural England. The book is set in the summer of around 1830, we know this because "before the 19th century had reached one-third of its span." As it was set in the 1830's the landscape would have been very different from today. This is demonstrated from the start of the book. Michael and Susan Henchard are "plainly but not ill clad" This tells us that they are not badly off. On the other hand they are covered in a "thick hoar of dust" telling us that the roads are unpaved. This also implies that although the Henchards are not badly off they cannot afford transport indicating that it is still expensive at this time. Henchard is described as "of fine figure, swarthy, and stern in aspect." His clothing is old fashioned "short jacket of brown corduroy" and a "waistcoat with white horn buttons." He is described as a "skilled countryman" and a "general labourer." symbolises that this could be any man, or could relate to the reader in some way and makes the reader look at this character from a different angle as if we might know him rather than seeing him as Henchard. Until the 6th page, 3rd paragraph, Michael is referred to as, amongst other things,