Examine the proposals of Oak and Boldwood to Bathsheba Everdene. Discuss how they differ and why she refuses them.
Proposals are made to Bathsheba Everdene by two people in the early stages of Far from the Madding Crowd, both are rejected by Bathsheba but for different reasons.
The first proposal is made by Gabriel Oak. He does this very early in the book. Bathsheba and Oak hardly know each other. They have met only a few times but Bathsheba has saved Oak’s life. Before proposing Gabriel asks Bathsheba’s aunt if she has any other young men around her at the time. She says yes “ she must have a dozen”. When she says this Gabriel leaves almost to suggest that he thinks if he has any competition for Bathsheba he will not be chosen by her. He was discouraged easily, considering he waited so long to see Bathsheba. He even thinks to himself that the only chance of getting Bathsheba is if he is first there, “and my only chance was in being the first comer”.
During both proposals Bathsheba gives out the wrong impression by mis leading the person that has proposed to her. Boldwood gets the wrong impression from Bathsheba when she sends him the valentine. Even though it was meant as a joke Boldwood does not see it that way. To Boldwood it was an “opportunity”. The “marry me” envelope seal gives Boldwood hope of marriage to Bathsheba. With Oak, Bathsheba chases after him to make it seem like she wants marriage. He says, “ when we be married” when she approaches which shows Oak was misled by Bathsheba.
