Thomas Hardy was both a Romantic and Realist. His characters tend to possess the best of both literary worlds. Bathsheba Everdene, of Far from the Maddening Crowd, possesses characteristics which prove her to be both gracious and self-centered.
Although she provides well for the workers on her farm (even better when the farm is doing well), Bathsheba's character proves to be a little to soft-spoken (yet loud), a little to bashful (yet proud), and a little to flirtatious (yet prudish).
In the opening of the novel, Bathsheba's's beauty is set against the "fine morning" and "scarlet glow" of the sun. Both of these characteristics illustrate the Romantic aspect of the text (appreciation of nature). At the same time,when Bathsheba catches a glimpse of her blushing face, she blushes more (showing a bit of her self-centered nature (illustrating a realist perspective regarding women and beauty). She is even regarded by...
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Oak as a "fair product of Nature" (Nature being capitalized in order to personify it).
It takes Bathsheba a while to come to terms with her true feelings. After taking an innocent interest in Oak, she falls two men (Troy and Boldwood)--one almost causes her to lose everything. In the end, after Bathsheba comes to realize what true loyalty means, she finds that she loves Oak (who has always loved her). After becoming a bitter and cold woman (because of the ruin Troy and Boldwood caused/almost caused), Bathsheba finds the true meaning of life ad love with Oak.
Gabriel Oak, who knows Bathsheba best, truly identifies her character when he calls her vain during a conversation with a gatekeeper.
Analyze Bathsheba Everdene's character in Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
The first thing to note about Bathsheba is that she is vain. This is the first characteristic that Hardy strikingly emphasizes with such elaborate detail as she sits atop her belongings, while she is moving from one county in England to another, and primps and preens in a "small swing looking-glass" (mirror) while stopped on the highway as her driver checks the cargo.
a small swing looking-glass was disclosed, in which she proceeded to survey herself attentively. ... What possessed her to indulge in such a performance in the sight of the sparrows, blackbirds, ... nobody knows; ... The change from ... the dressing hour in a bedroom to ... out of doors — lent to the idle deed a novelty ....
The next thing to note from her encounter with Gabriel Oak when he observes her on horseback and later as their paths continue to cross is that she is quite able and capable of taking care of herself, especially since she has a mind of her own.
"I'll ride over [said Bathsheba] for it as soon as it is light." "But there's no side-saddle [said her Aunt]." "I can ride on the other: trust me."
The third thing to note from her next encounter with Oak at her Aunt's home is that she is proud. She is so proud in fact that she must run after Oak to tell him in no uncertain terms that her Aunt had lied in her reasons for claiming Bathsheba would not consider his marriage proposal. Bathsheba makes it clear that her reason for refusing is that he is of too low a status for her to consider marrying: "I am better educated than you — and I don't love you a bit ...."
The next thing to note from her encounters with Farmer Boldwood is that she is ambitious (i.e., has high aspirations that extend out of her own sphere) while having a wickedly mischievous and sometimes vengeful side. She retaliates against Farmer 's indifference toward her by making fun of him in a false "secret admirer" Valentine card. It is this mischievous and sometimes vengeful side that directly cause all her worst troubles, though her vanity, pride and ambition cause her earliest troubles.