Lucetta has recently inherited money and has moved to Casterbridge after hearing of Susan’s death. She begs Henchard to not reveal the truth at this point and so ruin her happy marriage with Farfrae. Henchard tells Newson that Elizabeth-Jane is dead, in order to keep her love and attention for himself.
They learn that Henchard is now the mayor of Casterbridge. Elizabeth-Jane feels that Lucetta owes her loyalty to the first man she was interested in, who she realizes eventually is her father. Susan has recently realized her foolish commitment to Newson. He isn't entirely serious, but when a sailor offers five guineas (a lot of money to a poor man back then), …
This is a moment of dramatic irony because the reader is aware of the extent of Henchard’s hatred. Henchard comes to Lucetta’s home and blackmails her into agreeing to marry him. she meets Farfrae, who has come to call on Elizabeth-Jane.
Henchard plans to commit suicide at a place in the river near the second bridge, but does not when he sees his own effigy from the skimmington floating in the river. Elizabeth-Jane accepts Henchard as her father, but his moment of joy is completely disturbed by his awareness of the truth, which he does not share with her. Instant downloads of all 1330 LitChart PDFs (including The Mayor of Casterbridge).
Susan thinks it's a binding arrangement and that she now legally belongs to the sailor, so she takes the baby and leaves.
He isn't entirely serious, but when a sailor offers five guineas (a lot of money to a poor man back then), Henchard takes it.
By inviting Elizabeth-Jane into her home she hopes to encourage her father to visit, as well.
They stop for supper and Henchard gets totally drunk on rum. the letters, the messenger, Jopp, stops at an inn. Hardy published the book in 1886.
“This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased.
The two struggle, but, again, Henchard is unable to do through with a harmful plan.
While Lucetta is waiting for Henchard to call on her,
a will: his dying wish is to be forgotten.SparkNotes is brought to you by Barnes & Noble.
Susan and Elizabeth-Jane arrive in Casterbridge and find a group of the local residents gathered outside The Golden Crown Hotel where they see Henchard occupied inside at a grand meal.
But it takes confirmation from another character for Farfrae to admit Henchard’s hatred to himself.
Men do make stupid decisions while … that Lucetta and Henchard have been romantically involved, the peasants Only once this move has been agreed to by Elizabeth-Jane and Henchard does Henchard realize that this woman is Lucetta.
Farfrae is unaware of this rivalry. Richard Newson, who all had believed dead, arrives in Casterbridge and visits Henchard.
Lucetta asks Henchard to
Henchard and Susan arrange to meet that night at a secret location near town: Through a pair of mysterious notes sent to both of them, Farfrae and Elizabeth-Jane meet at the granary.
Discuss the ways in which Hardy has raised awareness of social issues in the readers of The Mayor of Casterbridge.
The Mayor of Casterbridge Summary. Elizabeth-Jane has grown up with Richard Newson as her father, and only his recent death at sea has caused Susan to decide to attempt to find her long-lost first husband.
His use of the world “old-fashioned” gives both the character and the author’s understanding of historical romance, in the context of a narrative, which the reader may consider “old-fashioned.” Farfrae is unable to believe that Henchard would hurt him. Susan and Elizabeth-Jane arrive in Casterbridge and find a group of the local residents gathered outside The Golden Crown Hotel where they see Henchard occupied inside at a grand meal. Our
He responds aggressively to any evidence of Elizabeth-Jane’s poor childhood and lack of education.
The peasants
in sorrow.
She wanted to secure him as her husband before Henchard could reveal the truth about their past. (including LitCharts Teacher Editions. When Henchard hears that Farfrae has been elected to the council, this is another blow to his pride.
Henchard grows to depend on the girl and her affection for him, despite his knowledge that she is not his biological daughter. They stop for supper and Henchard gets totally drunk on rum. his wife, Susan, looking for employment as a hay-trusser.
confrontation.
At the fair, Susan finds the furmity-woman who had once run the tent at the fair. swears an oath that he will not drink alcohol for twenty-one years,
Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae seek out Henchard, only to learn from Abel Whittle that he has passed away. However, a passing farmer tells the Henchards that there is no chance of finding employment or housing in the village.
The Mayor of Casterbridge: Summary, Characters, Themes & Analysis 11:16 Next Lesson. by Farfrae, and the two begin to spend time together. He vows to not drink again for twenty-years. The Mayor of Casterbridge: The Life and Death of a Man of Character (1886) is a novel by Thomas Hardy, an English novelist and poet. The Mayor of Casterbridge Summary.
LitCharts uses cookies to personalize our services. recently.
Although he doesn’t understand Lucetta’s reasons, he is still surprisingly ready to ignore her wishes in the face of this offer.
Summary. Have you ever done something that you later regretted? Susan is beautiful in moments of animation, when her face softens as she interacts with her child. Elizabeth-Jane is also hurt and angry to learn of Lucetta’s marriage to Farfrae, and she moves out of her friend’s house.
Despite Henchard’s anger, he does not expose the secret. They learn that Henchard is now the mayor of Casterbridge. The morning after Lucetta’s death, Newson,
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in (including LitCharts Teacher Editions.
Ironically, the letters are in Lucetta’s possession, left in the house where she and Farfrae now live. He knows that she must believe the transaction to be valid.