by Thomas HardyCharacters:
Michael Henchard – farmer who became a mayor
Elizabeth Jane - his daughter
Donald Farfrae - his business helper
Newson - an English sailor
The Story:
Micahel Henchard is a farmhand who got drunk at the village fair and sold his wife and child to a sailor, Newson. When clear-headed, he realized his mistake and swore not to take any liquor for 20 years; but his wife and child were already gone.
Through his new life, he became the mayor of Casterbridge in Dorchester. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Henchard returned with her daughter, Elizabeth-Jane. She said that they were free because Newson already died. Mayor Henchard took back his wife and daughter but, then trouble started in the family.
Henchard meet problems with his assistant, Donald Farfrae in their corn business and the mayor's wife died. With the death of his wife, the mayor learned that Elizabeth-Jane was not his daughter but, of Newson. Farfrae became Henchard’s number one business rival. The mayor lost much of his business, and his only relief was his step-daughter. As a last blow, Newson appeared and claimed Elizabeth-Jane whom Henchard had grown to love as his own.
With his enormous bitterness because of losing all his friends and those who are dear to him, he left the town and lived in a hut on Egdon Heath. So, there he died without anyone mourning him.
Comment:
This is a beautiful but tragic story. It contains lot of surprises that really shocked the main character and the audiences as well. It is good that Michael Henchard realized his mistakes and tried his best to change but, it seems that it is too late for him. It is terrible that in the end, he remains alone up to his death even if he turned his life in the right path.