Henchard's Personality in The Mayor of Casterbridge

Henchard's Personality in The Mayor of Casterbridge

Introduction

Michael Henchard begins the novel by entering Casterbridge 'with the

walk of a skilled countryman'. He starts his life at badly, as he

sells his wife to a young gentle sailor called Newson. His impression

changes, as he becomes a wealthy corn merchant and the Mayor of

Casterbridge. 25 years later, he ends up with his life in tatters, and

eventually dying alone.

In this coursework, I will be discussing Henchard's personality, and

the reasons for his success and his deterioration in life. Also, I

will describe the society which the people live in, emphasising the

main reason why the society of 'Weydon-Priors and 'Casterbridge' are

so quite and money driven.

Main Body

The society in 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is very old-fashioned and

stereotypical in certain aspects of the book.

The Mayor of Casterbridgebegins with Henchard, auctioning off his wife

to a sailor. This verifies that in early nineteenth-century England,

women of her class in rural districts were regarded as little more

than stock to be disposed of at their owners' liking, such sales were

not uncommon.

The importance of a solid reputation and character is rather obvious

given Henchard's situation, for Henchard has little else besides his

name. He arrives in Casterbridge with nothing more than tools of the

hay-trusser's trade, through out the course of the novel, Henchard

attempts to earn, or to believe that he has earned his position. He

is, however, plagued by feelings of his own worthlessness, and he

places himself in situations that can only result in failure. For

instance, he ...

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pitied himself on many occasions, leading him to become more insecure

and vulnerable, but at first he wasn't, he was a very strong liable

character, but as the accusations built up, and the general public

loosing his favour, he lost his reputation and his strong personality.

Henchard's caring, loving and good natured side isn't presented as

much as his harsh side. I believe, this helps to draw an audience, and

keep the audience fixated on the novel. Although Henchard loses even

the ability to explain himself-"he did not sufficiently value himself

to lessen his sufferings by strenuous appeal or elaborate argument"-he

never relinquishes his talent of endurance. Whatever the pain,

Henchard bears it. It is this resilience that elevates him to the

level of a hero-a man, ironically, whose name deserves to be

remembered.