Works of Thomas Hardy discussion

Thanks Claudia - I'll continue then, as they are easy enough to scroll through, for anyone who considers them a bit irrelevant.

I very much like all your comments, especially noting the possibility of herd instinct.

I feel so for Elizabeth-Jane, who looked to Henchard for praise, and was ignored. 🥹 Even though she's a young woman now, this world is new to her. And don't we all yearn for parental approval? Her dress looks much more affluent: I appreciate Peter and Connie's insights on apparel too.

Jean.
Please keep your commentary and insights on the physical locations coming. If we can’t be there, you can take us.

I agree that this chapter further heightens the differences between Henchard and Farfrae. Henchard is the physical world. As noted, he is repeatedly comlared to alpha animals. His thoughts revolve around domination. Even in his holiday celebration activities we see that they require physical strength.

On the other hand, Farfrae’s holiday celebrations centre around music and dance. His focus is on joy, not competition, lighthearted laughter, not physical strength.

And yes, the weather. Fate always hovers close to Hardy’s characters. Henchard seems to be targeted by the weather so far this novel.

Peter wrote: "Jean.
Please keep your commentary and insights on the physical locations coming. If we can’t be there, you can take us.

I agree that this chapter further heightens the differences between Henchard..."

Great points Peter!

I would add: Henchard, tigerish, alpha male, impulsive behaviour elevation, physical activities and contests, outspoken virility vs Farfrae, diplomacy, calculation on where the wind comes from, hidden and sheltered place, dances, etc, feminity.

Claudia wrote: "Peter wrote: "Jean.
Please keep your commentary and insights on the physical locations coming. If we can’t be there, you can take us.

I agree that this chapter further heightens the differences be..."

Claudia

Yes.It seems inevitable that there will be a major confrontation between Henchard and Farfrae. The when remains the main question and Hardy has already primed his readers. It seems Hardy has already telegraphed who/what the prize will be. The suspense is growing.

A poem related to Chapter 16, "A Sheep Fair," is now posted. It has the same location and rainy weather as Henchard's choice of an entertainment site.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

All the links are now in place. Do have a look at the interesting thread for today's poem, which Connie leads and has linked to 😊

I'm a bit late, but want to add that I have pity for Henchard, and found this a sad chapter too, Jean. I still want to know more about his past. He is impulsive and jealous, but maybe it comes from a competitiveness that was fostered early in his life. (I often, rightly or wrongly, notice people falling into two groups: those who are competitive and always want to win, versus those who foster success in others.)

I love the "local color" Jean, and appreciate you sharing about these places. It greatly enhances the story for us!

I agree with you Kathleen! This episode of Henchard's failed event is sad. He was generously offering contests and a tea for all, but the incessant rain and storm had it.

At the end he seems to be as lonely as before, even if he married Susan again (but where has love gone?), and seems to have a kind of Oedipal jealousy when he sees his daughter (officially stepdaughter) dancing with Farfrae. Is Farfrae going to become the scapegoat for Henchard's issues?

Kathleen wrote: "maybe it comes from a competitiveness that was fostered early in his life ..."

That's an interesting idea Kathleen. Although the subtitle of The Mayor of Casterbridge mentions his life, we first meet Michael Henchard when he is already a young man, and don't seem to have any idea of what made him the way he is. I have very mixed feelings towards him.

In a way, I find Henchard a more complex and believable character than the sunny-tempered Farfrae, who so far does not seem to have put a step wrong (except out of astonishing naivety).

Nice pick-up on the almost Oedipal jealousy, Claudia!

And the tension is mounting for sure, Peter, with the probable prize already telegraphed, as you say. 🤔

I've been travelling for the last two days, so I haven't had a chance to join in the lively discussion. If you will forgive my tardiness, I just wanted to agree with everyone else that this chapter left me feeling really sad. Especially for Henchard, who is his own worst enemy.

I agree with Jean too when she says the weather acted like Fate, and that is exactly what I expect from a Hardy novel . . . for Fate to come in a mess everything up.

I wonder though, even if the day had been sunny and calm, would people still have gone to Farfrae's tent? The description of the West Walk . . . like a cathedral built with the boughs of trees sounds amazing!! I wish I could see something like that in real life. It sounds magical. I think people might have gone to that tent no matter what the weather.

Bridget wrote: "I've been travelling for the last two days, so I haven't had a chance to join in the lively discussion. If you will forgive my tardiness, I just wanted to agree with everyone else that this chapter..."

Like you, Bridget, I've missed a couple of days and agree about the sadness of this chapter and so much disappointments, mostly because of Henchard, who I'm beginning to think is really insecure and impulsive. The result is that he strikes out at the very people, like Farfrae, who could support and assist him. And now, he's scared Elizabeth-Jane, rather than growing fond of him, which is likely his goal.

Bridget: "Henchard ... is his own worst enemy...."

Pamela: "he strikes out at the very people, like Farfrae, who could support and assist him."

Yes indeed! I wonder how far Henchard will go before he alienates everyone. Or will someone or something happen to rescue him from these tendencies? Elizabeth-Jane seems so kind ... but I can imagine this boor of a man (as she must see him) might be too wilful for her, as Pamela is thinking.

Bridget - The improvised marquee does sound magical doesn't it? Perhaps this vision also comes from Farfrae's artistic side (with the singing and dancing). Or perhaps he has seen this type of temporary hoarding in his homeland, or on his travels.

Chapter 17

After Henchard’s departure from Farfrae’s celebrations, Elizabeth-Jane remains for a brief while, distressed that she must in some way have offended her father, or her position as the mayor’s daughter, by dancing with Farfrae. She leaves the pavilion to walk home and encounters Farfrae who asks to walk with her. Farfrae has just left Henchard, after his announcement that Farfrae would soon leave his employ, and he shares this information with Elizabeth-Jane.

Elizabeth-Jane lets out a quiet sigh of disappointment when she fears that Farfrae will leave for another part of the world. Farfrae impulsively says that he wishes he were richer or that he had not offended her father, or he would have that very night asked her a certain question. He is not more specific than this, and she feels fearfully shy and does not encourage him.

“Hence, when she felt her heart going out to him, she would say to herself with a mock pleasantry that carried an ache with it, ”No, no, Elizabeth-Jane--such dreams are not for you!“ She tried to prevent herself from seeing him, and thinking of him; succeeding fairly well in the former attempt, in the latter not so completely.”

She does, however, say that she wishes he would not leave Casterbridge.

At home, Elizabeth-Jane ponders over Farfrae’s unwillingness to ask her the question that he might have. She had observed his growing popularity in town, as well as her stepfather’s temper, so the announcement that he would no longer be manager saddens but does not surprise her. Yet she wonders again whether he would, in fact, leave the town. Over the following days her anxiety to know his course of action only increases, as she can no longer hide the true reason for her interest in Farfrae’s situation from herself.

Word spreads through Casterbridge that Farfrae has purchased a small-scale corn and wheat merchant business in Casterbridge. He does not plan to leave town, and has instead set himself up as an independent businessman in the same business as Henchard. Elizabeth-Jane persuades herself that Farfrae does not care for her. She dresses up in her outfit from the night of the celebration and looks in the mirror, supposing that her appearance must have inspired a fleeting regard, but nothing lasting.

Henchard is furious at what he perceives to be Farfrae’s betrayal in setting up in competition with himself. He vows that he will overbid Farfrae; he is sure that he knows his business better than the young man. At home, Henchard sees Elizabeth-Jane and tells her that Farfrae is their enemy, and he never wants her to see the young man again. To ensure this, Henchard sends a note to Farfrae demanding that he no longer contact or visit Elizabeth-Jane.

Farfrae sets up his business far from Henchard’s, on Durnover Hill. He feels there is room enough for both of them in Casterbridge and does not plan to steal Henchard’s customers. Farfrae goes so far as to refuse a good customer because he had recently dealt with Henchard, citing Henchard’s kindness to him and his refusal to hurt Henchard’s business in any way. Despite this approach, Farfrae’s business thrives, mainly due to his character, which is happy and energetic, and well liked by all.

Every Saturday, the once-friends encounter each other at the marketplace. Whereas Farfrae is always friendly, Henchard angrily storms by him. Farfrae’s name is no longer used in Henchard’s household, and if Susan accidentally mentions the young man, Henchard accuses her of also being his enemy.

And a little more …

There are a few dialect words used by Henchard, which may not be obvious:

“wo’th a varden” - worth a farthing - a quarter of a penny. So it means practically worthless

“sniff and snaff” - casual conversation

We have several literary, Biblical and Greek references in this chapter, including:

William Shakespeare’s Romeo courting Juliet, despite their feuding families

“Jacob in Padam-Aran” - Jacob outwitted his father-in-law Laban and acquired from him the best of the flock. (“ringstraked and spotted” refers to the type of sheep)

“Bellerophon” - a Greek hero who incurred the hatred of the gods, and who thereafter entered into a bitter and self-imposed exile (Homer's The Iliad VI l. 201-2)

Plus Thomas Hardy even references his own stories with “Everdene”, (Far From the Madding Crowd) “Shiner” and “Darton”, all of whom appear in his novels and stories. Adding them here as if they are living in the area, adds verisimilitude to his fictional “Wessex”.

So things have gone from bad to worse, and Henchard's resentment of Farfrae has reached its head.

Elizabeth-Jane’s reaction to Henchard’s bad mood is to assume that she has done something wrong or improper in dancing with Farfrae. Farfrae demonstrates his interest in Elizabeth-Jane when he asks to walk with her, and he confides in her as the two walk together.

Elizabeth-Jane’s quiet sigh indicates her feelings for Farfrae. She is shy and does not know how to encourage him, but her emotions show in that moment. Farfrae’s partial proposal to Elizabeth-Jane is both an admittance of his feelings and an unwillingness to commit to anything specific for practical reasons.

Elizabeth-Jane’s lack of surprise that Farfrae will be leaving Henchard’s employ demonstrates her observant understanding of both men. She is less insightful, however, about her own feelings. As she worries over whether or not Farfrae will leave town, she must finally admit to herself that she cares about him and wants to be able to marry him. Elizabeth-Jane’s need to convince herself that Farfrae doesn’t care for her shows that she places her own desires and interests far behind others’.

Farfrae’s action of opening a separate and similar business to Henchard’s could be either a competitive move or an innocent move. It seems a little naive to me, that he should not expect a man like Henchard to take this amiss. I’m not sure it would even occur to Henchard that Farfrae deliberately chose an area which would not be in direct competition, and refuses to accept new business deals from his customers out of respect and gratitude. Farfrae’s business is based on both a sense of honour and the innocent belief that Casterbridge could well support two wheat and corn merchants. Yet ironically it is precisely this honourable consideration that wins customers. His generosity encourages the villagers to seek out his services.

Henchard’s anger at Farfrae is deeply personal. This is reflected in his desire to separate him from Elizabeth-Jane. He sees Elizabeth-Jane as necessarily his, and therefore is unwilling to let her choose Farfrae over himself. The note he sends to Farfrae dissuades the young man as well. This jealousy feels particularly spiteful to me.

Farfrae’s and Henchard’s temperaments are shown in stark relief when they meet in public. Henchard views Farfrae as an enemy, and anyone who associates with him as an enemy, whereas Farfrae still remembers Henchard’s kindness to him.

Their positions are entrenched, much as we were warned when we first met Farfrae, and he was compared with a young David. I said things had reached a head, but now I am not so sure. Another storm is surely brewing …

We will read Chapter 18 tomorrow Saturday 12th Julyin a new thread #3

I’m looking forward to everyone’s reactions and thoughts. And if you’ve been reading along and not said anything for a while, please feel free to add your thoughts on this section at any time. We’d love to hear them!

Jean wrote:Farfrae’s action of opening a separate and similar business to Henchard’s could be either a competitive move or an innocent move.

Excellent question, Jean! (not a question after all, but I end up asking myself if Farfrae is really innocent.)

Chapter 16 was, in terms of entertainment, a good rehearsal for what is happening now. Both men instead of combining their strengths ended up competing for the success of their respective events. However Fate (rain and wind) had it.

Henchard has "the diplomacy of a buffalo", but Farfrae is carefully thinking about everything, planning and calculating every step, particularly as far as business matters are concerned. He even gives up the hopes he may have in winning Elizabeth-Jane's heart. His half question to her was evidence enough, and his decision not to be "a Romeo" proves that he is anticipating the consequences of his every move. He is more like a chess-player.

I think that Thomas Hardy is subtly meaning that it is up to us to assess how far Donald is consciously acting as Henchard's declared enemy or if Fate, or business developments, help steering the course of things. The author borrows many images and symbols virtually concentrated in one or two paragraphs: Greek myths and heroes, Jacob in the Bible (Genesis 30:37-31:16), and Marlowe's and Goethe's Faust. This may allude to a cyclical return of old myths, its inexorability and the powerlessness of human actions.

On the other hand, more down to earthly, Henchard did provoke that situation and Farfrae must earlier or sooner defend himself. "A time came when, avoid collision with his former friend as he might, Farfrae was compelled, in sheer self-defence, to close with Henchard in mortal commercial combat."

Fascinating chapter! What a great description: “… there was still the same unruly volcanic stuff between the rind of Michael Henchard as when he had sold his wife at Weydon Fair.”

I don’t see Farfrae’s move as competitive. I see it as idealistic, which I suppose is innocent. He has determined it’s possible for them both to succeed in the same area, so why shouldn’t they? He is sort of a stubbornly idealistic fellow.

I enjoyed the literary and biblical allusions. Did Hardy really believe character is fate? (Jude being my first novel of his, I wonder). I love Claudia’s idea that in his mythological references, Hardy may be bringing up the powerlessness of humans when faced with the gods. This feels more like Hardy to me!

Jean, I've been enjoying the story a lot but haven't commented because I got ahead of schedule and didn't want to accidently spoil anything. But you've all caught up to me now and I can, thankfully, continue with the next chapter for tomorrow. I've been on pins and needles.

I've enjoyed all of these chapters and how events are unfolding.

Michael continues to be his own worst enemy and cause himself problems. He's a bit of a bully, indicated by his demand that Elizabeth-Jane not see Farfrae again and, if she does, she's his enemy. Such a command would perhaps make the poor girl feel uncomforable in her own home.

Farfrae isn't competitive, I think. The company he bought was already in operation, which shows that Casterbridge & the surrounding area has business enough for 2 companies. Farfrae's refusal to deal with any of Michael's customers shows he's not looking to expand the business he bought, at least not at Michael's expense. I think he's a man who needs to support himself and has found a way to do so, but he's intent on not taking business from the man who gave him a start in the town.

Elizabeth-Jane is caught in the middle between these men. However, she's also pulling back from Farfrae herself, with any aid from Michael, because of her insecurities. She, too, could become her own worst enemy if she doesn't grow some confidence.

Well, if I had any reservations about being against the character of Henchard this chapter has dispelled them. To me, Henchard is nothing more than a bully, an impulsive individual who is petty, revengeful and lacks any emotional sensitivity. Even the fact that he gave a home to Susan and Elizabeth-Jane does not impress me anymore. I think he did nothing except assuage his own guilt by opening the door for his wife and daughter.

Farfrae interests me and I wonder what Hardy has in store for him. Presently, he is a white knight, beloved by both the town and the town’s fairest maiden. He is a proven businessman and, to date, has manners, and projects courtesy to all.

When I consider Henchard’s dictate that Elizabeth-Jane not see Farfrae again it strikes me that what we see is that Henchard’s level of anger extends to both business and the affairs of the human heart. Elizabeth is the target, or should I say victim, of both Henchard’s business and personal vendettas.

Kathleen wrote: "Fascinating chapter! What a great description: “… there was still the same unruly volcanic stuff between the rind of Michael Henchard as when he had sold his wife at Weydon Fair.”

I don’t see Farf..."

Yes Kathleen, I think Farfrae is idealistic in a way. Still he is able to assess problematics and anticipate issues, which Henchard is not.

As to the Faustian allusion, I am reminded of the Walpurgisnacht in Faust, Part One by Goethe, when Dr. Faust is led by a will-o'-the-wisp (Irrlicht) through a bacchanal of witches on the Blocksberg. How that could be linked to Michael Henchard is not yet crystal clear to me.

I agree with you that character alone is not Fate. Jude the Obscure is also the first novel I read by Thomas Hardy.

Peter wrote: Farfrae interests me and I wonder what Hardy has in store for him. Presently, he is a white knight, beloved by both the town and the town’s fairest maiden. He is a proven businessman and, to date, has manners, and projects courtesy to all.

Exactly! Nevertheless I am waiting for something to happen and see how Farfrae develops as this business antagonisms are doomed to escalate, fuelled by Henchard's character. For the time being he is just as you described.

Earlier on, I mentioned a herd instinct in the population (and in any large group of human beings) and this may apply here. It all depends on the volatility of customers - things have been worsening since the Abel Whittle incident. Therefore, Henchard's business partners may be shifting to Farfrae's as quickly.

Definitely loads of things to think about in this relationship between the two men. I wonder too why Farfrae would establish a business in the same community as Henchard — its bound to cause problems. And if he had any romantic feelings toward Elizabeth-Jane, he must realize what the chances are of it developing in the same town.

Henchard is acting childish, throwing a tantrum and regretting it yet unable to show strength of character and admit he was wrong. So he digs in deeper.

This looks like a downward spiral of wills between the two men with damage to both and the local community, forcing them to take sides and deal with the evolving repercussions. And especially for Elizabeth-Jane and her mother — no one will be unscathed in this.

Pamela wrote: Henchard is acting childish, throwing a tantrum and regretting it yet unable to show strength of character and admit he was wrong. So he digs in deeper..."

That's it exactly, Pamela, he digs in deeper, every time! Even the narrator says a smarter man would have seen the way to diffuse a business rival is to make him your son-in-law. Ah, but then there wouldn't be as much delicious tension in the story :-)

I think perhaps Farfrae is staying near Casterbridge because of Elizabeth. She did say on their walk she didn't want him to leave Casterbridge. I think Claudia is very insightful to withhold judgement on Farfrae for the moment. Let's see what happens next. I'm not convinced he is going to honor Henchard's letter requesting he keep his distance from Elizabeth.

I noted this line about why Henchard rose to prominence in Casterbridge "they had voted him to the chief magistracy on account of his amazing energy". I agree with Peter that Henchard comes across as a bully. Is that another way of saying he has "amazing energy". Do crowds of humans sometimes want a bully as their leader because they think it protects them? And when presented with a kinder, gentler leader, will they immediately change direction?

What great comments! We can see how skilful Thomas Hardy is being, as the nuances leave us with several options as to how to interpret them. And at the same time we are eager to know how things will turn out!

Today's chapter is posted LINK HERE,

but please feel free to discuss up to the end of chapter 17 here too!

Bridget wrote: "Pamela wrote: Henchard is acting childish, throwing a tantrum and regretting it yet unable to show strength of character and admit he was wrong. So he digs in deeper..."

That's it exactly, Pamela,..."

I agree, Bridget! I suspect Farfrae is more attracted to Elizabeth-Jane than he has shown so far.

I have been off the grid for a week and have spent the day trying to catch up with this and a few other group reads.

Jean wroteFarfrae’s and Henchard’s temperaments are shown in stark relief when they meet in public. Henchard views Farfrae as an enemy, and anyone who associates with him as an enemy, whereas Farfrae still remembers Henchard’s kindness to him.

Their positions are entrenched, much as we were warned when we first met Farfrae, and he was compared with a young David. I said things had reached a head, but now I am not so sure. Another storm is surely brewing …

We certainly have been given peeks at the darker side of Henchard from time to time but this hard break with Farfrae and subsequent actions is the most obvious. His stubborn anger over supposed disloyalty, jealousy over another's success, disavowal of any prior relationship and the pondering of retribution. Hmmm...sounds like a current U.S. President. Sorry, couldn't help it. Anyway bodes for a storm a brewing as Jean said.

I was taken with the Faustian comparison a vehement gloomy being who had quitted the ways of vulgar men without light to guide him on a better way and Bellerophon (whom I had to look up) he wandered away from the crowd cankered in soul What a visual of the darkness in one's heart "cankered in soul" paints. And it doesn't sound as any sort of redemptive opportunity is around the corner for Henchard as we move forward.

I also loved that gloomey being line Chris. Especially the part about there being no light to guide him on a better path. Looks like we will have more darkness from Henchard. For awhile at least.

Glad you've caught up. Good to see you back in the comments :-)

Hi everyone! I'm caught up for this thread and hoping to be on pace with you all soon. I've loved reading all of your comments.

A couple of readers have discussed the statement that "Character is Fate" and whether this reflects Hardy's beliefs. It's true that he would show in Jude that Fate is blind if not actually antagonistic. However, that was later in his life, and I think that in this work it seems to be true. Henchard has risen to the top and is now descending as a result of his dogged determination. Farfrae is rising because of his own character traits.

And we shouldn't forget that the subject of this book according to the title is "a Man of Character." Looking at the title before reading the book, we might expect that this is the story of an honorable man with a high level of integrity, but at this point it seems that the title is ironic because it is exactly Henchard's character that has led to all of his problems. I think it's also significant that the title is "The Mayor" rather than "Michael Henchard;" he is driven by a need for power and control, so his social position is more important than his essential being.

Also, I noticed that when Henchard is in a passion he slips more into dialect. When he complains to the Council about Farfrae he says, "Didn't he come here without a sound shoe to his boot?" and "if I can't overbid such a stripling as he, I'm not wo'th a varden!"

Autocorrect argh: "... sound shoe to his voot?"

Erich C wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm caught up for this thread and hoping to be on pace with you all soon. I've loved reading all of your comments.

A couple of readers have discussed the statement that "Character is ..."

Great point! I read Jude the Obscure first but it was Thomas Hardy's last novel, nine years after the Mayor. Then he published poems, if I don't mistake. I may have been influenced to object to Novalis' allusion mentioned here because of that.

Still, Fate is an element in the development of events, as well as coincidence and synchronicity. It is enhanced by a tiny observation by the narrative voice very early in the novel (beginning of chapter 6, Farfrae's stopping by and hearing the corn discussion).

I mentioned twice or thrice, as several other readers did, that Henchard is his own enemy. This is indeed where character is involved! You are right when you mentioned the subtitle. I sometimes tend not to notice that!

The subtitle varies; sometimes it is "The Mayor of Casterbridge: A Story of a Man of Character" and sometimes "The Life and Death of the Mayor of Casterbridge: A Story of a Man of Character". I think the latter was his final choice.

Erich - the title is "The Mayor" rather than "Michael Henchard;" he is driven by a need for power and control, so his social position is more important than his essential being

This is a great point! We've noticed several things about the subtitle, including its similarity to "Tess of the D'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman". In both cases the author is making a statement about his views on the character. It's not exactly an apologia, but more defiance, I think.

As you say, avoiding his name in The Mayor of Casterbridge significantly points to Michael Henchard's view of himself. It's a strong indicator, as there is no slow reveal; we know exactly who the mayor is and where he has come from by chapter 5 or 6.

Thomas Hardy evidently liked using this type of title. Even with Tess, we have an allusive name, not her given one (a little like the "Obscure" of Jude; they were his two final novels). Also just like in The Mayor of Casterbridge, it is an ironic title as you say, because it is exactly Henchard's character (or Tess's naivety) that has led to all of his problems.

I think Thomas Hardy means us to find it amusing that Henchard slips into dialect when feeling emotional. Don't we all do this a little? My accent sometimes varies according to who I am with. As well as having various forms of language we employ (street/friends, home, work, received pronunciation etc.) if one has moved around, it can be overlaid with an accent appropriate to the context, and still feel natural.

The irony here comes with Henchard's apparent feeling of superiority to other townsfolk, and criticism of Elizabeth-Jane for using local dialect naturally. It's a great indicator both of class conflicts, and Henchard's psychology.

Yes, Claudia, after the furore over Tess and Jude, Thomas Hardy made a conscious decision to write no more novels. He concentrated on poetry, which he had always considered his best work and his true passion. But he did remain active in bringing adaptations of Tess etc. to the stage, with the local "Hardy Players" in Dorchester and later in London.

Bionic Jean wrote: "He concentrated on poetry, which he had always considered his best work and his true passion..."

Excellent points by everyone. I thought I would add, in case some people don't know, when Hardy finally started publishing his poems in 1898 Wessex Poems and Other Verses, some of the poems included in the collection were written years before, perhaps the 1860s when he was in his twenties. There is nothing chronological about Hardy's poetry collection.

In his novels we can see his progression as a writer and thinker (as you all mentioned above), but with his poems you have to carefully find out when they were written and sometimes that's a very hard puzzle to solve.

Bridget wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "He concentrated on poetry, which he had always considered his best work and his true passion..."

Excellent points by everyone. I thought I would add, in case some people don't ..."

Thank you Bridget and Jean!

As a non-specialist of Thomas Hardy I preferred to write "he published poems" here above! Some poems may indeed have been written simultaneously when he was writing his novels (for example Marty South in The Woodlanders) and it requires some background knowledge to know all this.

Bionic Jean wrote: "Yes, Claudia, after the furore over Tess and Jude, Thomas Hardy made a conscious decision to write no more novels."

Alas, what we might have been given!

I found this comment by the locals both funny and revealing. When Farfrae's event has been such a success and the locals are gossiping about the mayor and one mentions "the wheat - that sometimes used to taste so strong o' mice when made into bread that people could fairly tell the breed."

Not only was Henchard's way of doing business outdated and imprecise, but he must have known that his wheat was tainted before he sold it. At the beginning of the book, there is some ambiguity about whether Henchard was aware that the wheat was sprouted. He blames the unsettled weather and the unmanageable size of his business, but more likely than not he knowingly sold the wheat.

In this same section, there is also a contrast between the tradition of Henchard's methods and the modern approach that Farfrae takes.

When Henchard originally argues that Farfrae should stay on, he tries to tempt him with money, a share of the business, and friendship. When he finally convinces him, it is after Henchard suggests that they "walk together to the top 'o town." There, "From this high corner of the square earthworks a vast extent of country could be seen."

Is Henchard acting the part of Satan tempting Jesus above the desert?

Erich wrote: There, "From this high corner of the square earthworks a vast extent of country could be seen."

Is Henchard acting the part of Satan tempting Jesus above the desert?

It looks like that!

Erich C wrote: "Is Henchard acting the part of Satan tempting Jesus above the desert?..."

Wow Erich, I hadn't thought of that!

Thanks Bridget for the reminder that Thomas Hardy's poetry collections are not strictly chronological.

On the Hardy Tour my wife and I took, our tour guide didn't take us to the Maumbury rings, but suggested them as an additional activity for those who were interested. They were a short walk from our hotel, and I'm so glad I went. So beautiful and fascinating !

I was chuckling at the inclusion of "Everdene" in the names on the market stalls. The heroine from Far From the Madding Crowd.

Brian wrote: "On the Hardy Tour my wife and I took, our tour guide didn't take us to the Maumbury rings, but suggested them as an additional activity for those who were interested. They were a short walk from ou..."

How lucky you are to have gone on a Hardy Tour. I hope I get to do that some day. It must be thrilling to read TMOC and have actually seen the Maumbury RIngs.

Yes, farmer Everdene is Bathsheba's Uncle in FFMC. Glad you caught that!

There are a few familiar names, and we commented in the thread that they add authenticity to Hardy's "Wessex" 🙂

Glad you've seen some of the sites and buildings Brian. I'll be back there in less than a fortnight - YAY!