The mayor of casterbridge

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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 still live off the land a rural village. When the couple met the turnip-hoer, Henchard asked about work needed in the village. This is evidence to show, due to the industrial revolution, work in the country was short, and with all these new machines around, many homes were taken down. Although Henchard doesn’t approve of all these new ways of life, he eventually will use them showing that he realises people must change.

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Hardy’s language gives a great contribution to the opening of the novel. He uses varied sentences structure to keep the writing interesting. He continues this with a great variety of vocabulary making use of his education.

He doesn’t play the role of a husband or a father at all (we also find out that he and Susan have a baby called Elizabeth-Jane). He remains using similar behaviour until chapter two. The first time he actually opened his mouth to talk, was, when addressing a worker around Weydon-Priors. The second time, one page later, was when he briefly replied to Susan ...

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