Casterbridge
Essay title: Casterbridge
Michael Henchard is a man that auctioned off his family, his wife and daughter. In The Mayor of Casterbridge, Michael Henchard has a large personality to explore. He sells of his family for the low price of five guineas to a complete stranger. This stranger, Newsom the sailor, takes Henchards wife, Susan, and daughter, Elizabeth-Jane, from Henchard while he is in a disoriented state. This just starts the problems Henchard will have with conforming with the expectations of society. Michael Henchard discovers the consequences of drinking alcohol and swears an oath to not drink for twenty-one years. In the story, Thomas Hardy looks at society in the town of Casterbridge during this specific time period and looks how Michael Henchard reacts to the standards put infront of him.
Not only did the society at this time frown upon alcoholism, the people did not tolerate adultery. In this time a person and their spouse were with eachother for a very long time before they were to get married. Marriage was something that lasted until death caused it to seperate. Families were the base of society and people used all their power to keep their families together and happy. The stereotypcial family was one where the husband was the provider and worked for the family to get them anything they needed. The Wife would stay at home, having the children do chores and rasing them as best she could. Everyone always wanted to have pride and respect in their life, so in order to maintain this people in societies had to act in a positive way in the workplace and around town. The most important people in town, like political figures were required to be the perfect citizen and person. Wealthy people tried to help poor people the best they could to make everyones lives better.
Although many people followed societys standards and worked to obey these rules. Michael Henchard tried to follow these rules but on many occasions had failed and because of this he suffered and had to deal with the repercussion for not accepting societys standards. First, he did not understand his actions when he sold his wife and daughter away. Afterwards he did not know where they had gone off too, who they were with or their status. Not only did he not know if they were safe or in good health, he did not even know if they were still alive with this stranger. Henchard was so embarrassed
of his actions he moved away to put the whole night behind him, hoping it would not be brought up again. Henchard ended up working with crops in the other town and became such a respected man he decided to run for mayor. Even as mayor Henchard still wondered about his family and feeling remorseful about that day at the fair. Henchards wife, Susan, mourning from the death of her husband and Elizabeth-Janes father, the sailor Newsom, Susan explained to Elizabeth-Jane that she was married to Henchard. Since Elizabeth-Jane was curious, Susan decided to go and see him to amuse Elizabeth-Jane. At a town meeting, Henchard was relieved that his secrets would be safe and he had them come and live with him and would later propose to Susan. This way, the town should not suspect Henchard of any behavior that societies standards would not condone.
Since Henchard believed that society would not agree with such an abrupt wedding, Henchard and Susan waited for a period of time. Henchard kept the women hidden out of town, but because he was so preoccupied with the arrival of his family he lost grip on his business and his employee, Farfrae, took over to