Characters of Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd This essay will be focusing on the four main characters vividly portrayed by Hardy. These consist of, the protagonist, Bathsheba Everdene, Gabriel Oak, Farmer Boldwood and Sergeant Troy. It will be exploring the strengths and weaknesses of each character. For some their weakness led to their downfall and for others, they were able to overcome weakness and build on their strengths. Firstly, there is Bathsheba Everdene, who at the beginning of the book is very stubborn and vain. This is shown at the turnpike when Oak pays for Bathsheba to pass through for which he receives no thanks. Further into the novel more traits of her character are revealed such as her determination and independence. These are shown when she takes on the running of her late uncle's farm competing with men in what is very much their world. Also she is shown to be quite courageous and brave, "she somewhat defiantly turned up her face to argue a point with a tall man". A characteristic revealed at the same stage in the text as the ones mentioned is one which has a significant effect. This is Bathsheba's carelessness which points out that she has not yet suffered in love. This is shown when she sends a Valentines card to Boldwood with the words, 'Marry Me' on it. The narrator points out her carelessness, "so very idly and unreflecting was this deed done". The voice of Hardy frequently comes through the text. This feature of authorial intrusion is typical of nineteenth century writers. At the end of the novel Bathsheba marries Oak and is perfectly happy. In some ways, she does not deserve this as she to... ... middle of paper ... ...t he wants. At the end of the novel Sergeant Troy is murdered by Boldwood. He did not deserve this as his actions were not absolutely horrific but he did not deserve to have Bathsheba in any way if he would have lived. He was dishonest, cruel and tormented Boldwood greatly about Bathsheba which was unnecessary. Hardy throughout the novel is keen to put the message across that actions have consequences. He shows how physical attraction can be dangerous and cause individuals to neglect their duties to the community they live in. Those who suffer do so as a result of their actions. My conclusion is that Bathsheba, Farmer Boldwood and Sergeant Troy did not deserve their fate and that Gabriel Oak did as he worked the hardest and was a trustworthy, loyal and reliable person, which the other three characters were not.
Strongmore is described as alluring and seductive, making him appear as the sexual man that women of the Victorian Era tried to help to control their desires.Men were encouraged to repress their sexuality as well as women, and men who could not were permitted to see prostitutes.The young unmarried girl was the last person that a man should be seen with, but Strongmore violated this became a foil for young women desiring marriage.This story illustrated the fears of unrestrained sexuality and sedutive men who could ruin young girls, and both fears are embodied by Lord Strongmore.
As stated by Ulrich, Bathsheba was remembered in English and American sermons as “a virtuous housewife, a godly woman whose industrious labors gave mythical significance to the ordinary tasks assigned to her sex.” In the Proverbs, she is described as one who is willing to serve her family (Ulrich 14). Moreover, just with Ulrich’s initial description of this biblical woman in which she compares women of the 1650s-1750s to, readers are able to get a general understanding that a woman’s role in economic life was vital to the success of her
Yaeger discusses several qualities of the honey-mad woman, and applies them to the female protagonists in Bronte's writing.
Hardy uses juxtaposition to contrast Alec and Angel. Alec causes Tess's ultimate downfall, since his act brings about many misfortunes for her, including her sickly child and her failed marriage. While Angel commits the seemingly inexcusable act of leaving Tess in her time of need, the context of the time period gives him some excuse, since Victorian women had to remain “pure” until their wedding nights. Angel's greatest fault, hypocrisy, becomes evident when he rejects Tess once he learns of her past, despite his earlier statements of his unconventional way of thinking. However, Angel and Tess could have married and lived happily if Alec had not committed his heinous act. Ultimately, Alec's actions have the lasting impact on Tess's life, resulting in her final decision to kill him. By juxtaposing Angel and Alec, Hardy shows that while both men have their faults, Angel is the lesser of two evils.
By writing the happy ending of Persuasion at the hands of the Crofts, Austen suggests that the Crofts were aware of Anne and Wentworth’s previous relationship throughout the novel, and all the while were exploring the possibility of a rekindling of the relationship through their hints and indirect comments. For example, in Anne’s first meeting with the Crofts, to Anne’s embarrassment Mrs. Croft says to her, “It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had the pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country”—hinting at her knowledge of the two’s previous relationship (Austen 36). A few moments later, Anne hears the Admiral remark to Mary about the arrival of one of Mrs. Croft’s brothers—one whom she “know[s] him by
	Love, with its power to create agony or ecstasy, is a dependable source of drama, whether it be for the novel or the soap opera. As we see in Jude the Obscure and The Dead, the tension of the love relationship is increased with the addition of a third party. Jude and Sue’s relationship may likely have been quite simpler without the presence of Philotson. He would not have been an option for Sue’s need to rectify the death of the children. In fact, she may have seen marriage to Jude as the right thing to do. They may have actually gotten married and been very happy. But for some reason, Hardy did not allow this to happen. Instead, he preferred to leave the reader with the dark view of love, where there is not always a happy ending. As for Gabriel and Greta’s relationship, if Greta had not told of Michael, Gabriel’s evening may have ended much differently. He would most likely have satisfied his lust, yet the novel would lack the epiphany Greta’s confession causes him to have. The components of guilt, duty, and unrequited love, though not universal traits, do well to maintain the complexity and efficacy of these particular love triangles.
The relationships in Tony Kytes ‘The Arch-Deceiver’ is the relationship between Tony Kytes and three women, Milly Richards, Unity Sallet, and Hannah Jolliver who are all of the same class so they know what should be expected of one another. Tony Kytes is shown as a young handsome man, who all of the women want to be with. Thomas Hardy shows us that marriage was a key to life in those days for everyone, especially if they wanted to have children without being thought to of being lowered in society. All of the women in this story have no thoughts of staying in further education, their mind is set on one thing of which is marriage. Whereas in today’s society most people know that they will want to go into further education before even considering marriage. Due to the fact that Tony Kytes might be the only available man in there village, all these women want to enter marriage before it’s too late.
Wicked behavior is inside of all humans in one point of their lives. Some behaviors are more wicked than others, but the severity is determined by a matter of opinion. Three of the main characters of The Scarlet Letter are Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. The three of them are said to have sinned; two in the same way and one in another. I believe that Roger Chillingworth has committed a greater sin than the sin of Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale for numerous reasons. It also appears that Nathaniel Hawthorne expresses the same opinion as I do.
With so many distortions, many readers may not appreciate Brontë's book. She takes common elements and greatly exaggerates them. She turns love into obsessive passion, contempt into lifelong vindictive hatred, and peaceful death into the equivalent of burning in hell. In doing so, she not only loaded the book with emotions, but vividly illustrated the outcome if one were to possess these emotions.
Through self-centered and narcissistic characters, Emily Bronte’s classic novel, “Wuthering Heights” illustrates a deliberate and poetic understanding of what greed is. Encouraged by love, fear, and revenge, Catherine Earnshaw, Heathcliff, and Linton Heathcliff all commit a sin called selfishness.
Pride and Prejudice is a story that addresses a collective reality in early 19th century England, that a woman lacking a good fortune needed to marry well. This novel focuses on Mr. & Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters (all of whom are of marriageable age): Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. The Bennets live on the Long bourn estate, in England. It has become Mrs. Bennet’s sole purpose to help each of her daughters marry a wealthy man with high social status. This seem to be of particular importance to Mrs. Bennet as there is an entailment on their estate and, with no male heirs, she and her daughters will be evicted from their home upon her husbands death. When a nearby Nether field estate is rented by Mr. Bingley, a man who is handsome,
The independence of the heroines in “Pride and Prejudice” and “A Room With a View” can be defined by their unconventional views and the fearlessness that they display. In “Pride and Prejudice”, Austen presents her heroine Elizabeth as having unconventional views on marriage and society. It is clear that in Austen’s choice of Elizabeth she is presenting an alternative role model for the women of Regency society. Similarly, in “A Room With a View”, E.M Forster’s heroine Lucy demonstrates an independence and fearlessness in her choices which challenges society’s expectations.
The characters in Pride and Prejudice are incredibly developed and are written in wonderful style. The protagonist of the book is Elizabeth Bennet who is a very high spirited and opinionated person who has no problem speaking her mind. Jane Bennet, Elizabeth 's older sister, who while she is a secondary character, is very important to the story and helps to drive the story forward with her sub plat which adds to the plot of the book. another background character whose secondary story is intertwined with Jane 's story, his name is Charles Bingley, commonly referred to as Mr. Bingley in the book. Mr.Bingley was an extroverted, adventurous, and well-mannered love interest for Jane. The Supposed antagonist of the story, a friend of Mr. Bingley
Women have the ability to get what they want, when they want it. Chaucer portrays the Wife of bath as the dominant person in her marriages. She looks at men as her trinkets to be used and played with. She moves from one man to another, always looking for more. The Wife of Bath is a control freak, wanting to have sex when she desires it and with whom she desires.
Hardy originated from a working class family. The son of a master mason, Hardy was slightly above that of his agricultural peers. Hardy’s examination of transition between classes is usually similar to that of D.H. Lawrence, that if you step outside your circle you will die. The ambitious lives of the characters within Hardy’s novels like Jude and Tess usually end fatally; as they attempt to break away from the constraints of their class, thus, depicting Hardy’s view upon the transition between classes. Hardy valued lower class morals and traditions, it is apparent through reading Tess that her struggles are evidently permeated through the social sufferings of the working class. A central theme running throughout Hardy’s novels is the decline of old families. It is said Hardy himself traced the Dorset Hardy’s lineage and found once they were of great i...