Far From The Maddening Crowd

823 Words2 Pages

c

“Far from the Maddening Crowd”

“Far from the Maddening Crowd” is a story of three men with nothing in common except the conquest for the same woman. It takes place in the 19th century in a country town of West England, where the sound of the wind along with the singing of the birds is a melodic rhythm, the field is green, and the flocks of sheep graze peacefully like cotton balls. On top of the hill lived Bathsheba, a beautiful and independent young woman. After the death of her father, she confronted with the role of managing the farm she inherited from her father.

Batsheba faces her duties and responsibilities with control and authority. This is in contrast to her personal life; she is confused because she does not know which one of her three pretenders she wants as a prospective husband.

One of Batsheba’s pretenders was Gabriel Oak, a shepherd of flocks and a man who was loved and respected by everyone. Gabriel was a kind man whose eyes implied tenderness. He wanted Batsheba’s love, but she told him that she was independence and needed a husband that would tame her. He lost all of his wealth when his flock of sheep had strayed off a cliff and had to become Batsheba’s Foreman.

Bathsheba arouses an unrestrained passion in Mr. Boldwood, a middle-aged, wealthy man who had never bothered with the feelings of a woman, until, he receives an anonymous letter where he was teased with a marriage proposal. When he found out that Batsheba had written the letter, he proposed to her. Batsheba felt guilty for what she had done to Mr. Boldwood and was willing to marry him even without feeling any love for him.

Batsheba meets the third pretender; Sgt. Troy, a good looking, daring, young man, depressed by being left at the altar by the woman he loves. Bathsheba felt jealousy and distraction toward him, which she thought was love. He desires only Bathsheba’s wealth.
Bathsheba and Sgt. Troy were married even though Mr. Boldwood offered Sgt. Troy a fortune in exchange for not marrying Batsheba. Gabriel and Mr. Boldwood were left broken hearted; Mr. Boldwood sworn vengeance to Sgt. Troy. As soon as they were married, Sgt. Troy started ill treating Bathsheba, and he does not help her with the farm duties; instead, he demands money to support his gambling. But there was Gabriel Oak always by her side and working arduously on the maintenance of the farm.

Open Document