Setting in the Mayor Of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

Setting in the Mayor Of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

The Mayor of Casterbridge is set in Dorchester, according to its

geographical location, and many significant events occur in the public

houses of the town and its historical earthwork - the Ring. It is

easily visible that each of these places has the purpose that Hardy

indicates.

The Ring is called the Maumbury Ring; it was used locally as an

amphitheatre and an execution ground. It is ridges and ditches of

earthwork; Hardy describes, 'The amphitheatre was a huge circular

enclosure, with a notch at opposite extremities of its diameter north

and south', which is referred to abruptly as 'spittoon of Jotuns'. A

reference book on Dorchester's Ring says, 'The site of the town

gallows, giving huge crowds a good view of hangings from its circular

banks.' Another ruthless description of the ambiance around the Ring

is 'The sun was resting on the hill like a drop of blood on an

eyelid...'

Here two important meetings of Henchard took place - with Susan and

Lucetta. They end happily; yet they are the onset of tragedies: the

ones responsible for further progression of the novel. The description

of its rigidity seems like a prediction into the future. Hardy chooses

this location for these meetings because they are tentative meetings;

so its solemnity is almost as if eerie spirits are watching over them

- that's why the fact that it is an amphitheatre and an execution

ground. From these meetings, all Henchard's intentions go wrong.

Elizabeth-Jane is not his genuine daughter and his letters from

Lucetta are not successfully delivered - all resolved to doom,

hypercritically.

...

... middle of paper ...

... here.'

'I say - what a good foundation for a skimmity-ride!'

This is the only time that this public house is mentioned in the

novel, yet it has beckoned forth another turning point of the novel -

from this pagan, underworld place by the mistake of Jopp who failed to

deliver the love letters unharmed.

Hardy has selectively used the available places in Dorchester to his

advantage as it can be seen categorized throughout the novel. This

obscured device rouses different reactions as he guides through the

whole progression. They are all real locations, despite the fact that

there is not evidence for the existence of Peter's Finger, and that

has also added another tint to the sense of discovery in this novel.

He has cleverly used all the places to maximum efficiency regarding

their authentic profile in real world.