The Mayor of Casterbridge (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- First Published: 1886
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Psychological realism
- Time of Work: Nineteenth century
- Setting: Wessex, England
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: Genealogy, Sex or sexuality, Nineteenth century, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, England or English people, Business or business people, Fate or fatalism, Merchants
- Locales: Wessex, England
Characters Discussed
Michael Henchard, the mayor of Casterbridge and a prosperous corn merchant. In his youth, while drunk, he had sold his wife and child to a seaman. Years later, this information becomes known in Casterbridge; as a result, Henchard is ruined. Too stern and unyielding to resume his friendship with Donald Farfrae, his former manager, the headstrong ex-mayor faces declining fortune. Finally, he is forced to declare bankruptcy and is publicly humiliated during the visit of royalty. At last, broken in spirit, he takes refuge in a shack and dies practically...
[The entire page is 762 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
Related Topics
