An Analysis of Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd

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An Analysis of Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd Farmer Gabriel Oak has just acquired his own sheep farm; as we meet him first, we the readers are inclined to believe that he is the hero of the novel. His name "Gabriel Oak" symbolises the strength and solidarity of a tree, as well as the angelic intentions in his biblical name "Gabriel". The next character we are introduced to is Miss Bathsheba Everdene, whom Gabriel sees on a wagon at the tollgate. Bathsheba is a young and attractive woman, dressed in a 'crimson' coat, which signifies her confidence in her appearance and need to be noticed. Farmer Oak sees her most prominent flaw, vanity, as she disregards the countryside and objects around her, all except for a mirror in which she admires herself. Unbeknown to her, Farmer Oak observes this whole charade from where he was standing. He walks down to where the wagon is residing to pay the toll, and overhears Bathsheba refusing to pay the price. Oak offers to pay the extra two pence for her; Bathsheba then acknowledges him with a slight glance, confirming to him that she does not find him remotely attractive in any way. The gatekeeper and Gabriel discuss Bathsheba's faults, where Gabriel announces that vanity plays a big part of her character. The next time Oak sees Bathsheba he has found her hat and picked it up. She is unconscious of his presence once again; immodestly riding astride a horse, in a way which was unusual for pre-20th century times. Oak is fascinated with this display and continues to spectate. Bathsheba is not wearing appropriate riding clothes and her seat on the horse is rather strange. When Gabriel mov... ... middle of paper ... ...ay. When Boldwood gets killed, Oak is to have his farm which would put him on a more equal footing with Bathsheba socially, although Bathsheba speaks standard English, whereas Oak is more colloquial: "'Marrying of 'ee in plain British' 'I have thought so much more of you since I fancied you did not want to even see me again'" This shows Bathsheba's fickle nature, and that she has matured and can see past public status and looks. Oak calls her 'My beautiful Bathsheba'; all three of the men have now commented on her beauty, which Bathsheba seems to like. Hardy concludes the novel by summing up his notion of a truly successful relationship: "Theirs was that substantial affection that arises… when the two who are thrown together begun first by knowing the rougher sides of each others character."

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