Hardy initially subtitled The Mayor of Casterbridge as “A Story of a Man of Character.” What does the phrase “a man of character” imply? Do you believe this was a fitting subtitle for the novel? Please elaborate on your response.

Contrast and compare Michael Henchard and Donald Farfrae. What qualities do they share, and what are the key differences between them?

Identify a single character trait that you believe leads to Michael’s downfall, and explain why you think this trait, above all others, is Michael’s fatal flaw.

In The Mayor of Casterbridge, Susan consents to be “sold” and voluntarily leaves with the man who has “bought” her. What other options might Susan have considered? What alternatives were realistically available to her, given the context of rural life in England at that time? Research the period and list only those alternatives that were plausible for a woman in Susan’s situation. Then, explain which alternative you believe would be the best choice for Susan—either one you listed or the action she takes in the novel—and justify your reasoning.

Hardy set all of his novels in the Wessex region of England, where he was born. In The Mayor of Casterbridge and other works, he incorporated real locations—towns, roads, bodies of water, and even shops and hotels. Some of these places retained their real names, while others were given fictional names. Imagine you are going to write a novel set in your own region. Create a map of the area, indicating the towns, roads, and other significant locations that will feature in your novel. Decide whether to use the real names or invent new ones for each place, and label your map accordingly. Finally, compose a one-page description of the region depicted in your map. Make your description as vivid as possible to immerse readers in the setting; describe the landscape, people, animals, weather, sounds, smells, and other sensory details.