Analysis of Characters from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy E

Analysis of Characters from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas HardyA young Scot who arrives in Casterbridge at nigh the same time asSusan and Elizabeth-Jane, Donald Farfrae becomes Michael Henchardsbusiness manager. He rapidly becomes Henchards only trusted friendand, later, his adversary in both(prenominal) business and love.Hardy draws Farfrae as Henchards counterpart in every(prenominal) way. He isphysically small, polite and charming, careful and controlled, forwardthinking, and methodical. Whereas Henchard propels his fate withmoments of rash behavior, Farfrae is cool and calculating in all hedoes. Although his temper is friendly and engaging, Farfraemaintains a certain detachment from people and events, alwaysconsidering the assertable consequences of his decisions and actions originally he makes them. As a result, his path through sprightliness is as smoothas Henchards is rough.Farfrae initiates a relationship with Henchard by providinginformation that is a great help to Henchard in solving a businessproblem and by refusing Henchards offer of payment for theinformation. Henchard is so grateful and impressed that he talksFarfrae into abandoning his plans to go to America and convinces himto come to a job as Henchards business manager.Because Farfrae is more nonionic and methodical than Henchard, thebusiness prospers under his management. Farfrae is ambitious enough toeventually go into business for himself, though, and this enragesHenchard even though Farfrae, in his typically principled way, triesto smear competition between the two firms.Farfrae courts Elizabeth-Jane and even hints that he would marry herif he were in a financial position to do so, but when he meets thenewly wealth... ...ng woman who, likeHenchard, suffers several reversals of fortune and ends badly.Henchard has an affair with her before Susan arrives in Casterbridge,and this affair ruins Lucettas reputation. To try to repair thedamage, Henchard, thinking that Susan is lik ely dead, offers tomarry Lucetta. Before the marriage takes place, though, Susan returns,and Henchard must call off the wedding. after(prenominal) Susan dies, Lucetta inherits wealth, and Henchard renews hisinterest in her. Lucetta is more interested in Farfrae, though, andmarries him. When Lucettas honest-to- technicalness letters to Henchard become public, thescandal of their affair returns to haunt them both, and Lucetta is so distraught by this that she suffers a seizure and dies. Farfrae soonrealizes that Lucetta was not a good match for him and that, had shelived, their marriage would not have been happy. Themes