Adulam haven for people with troubles and difficulties. aeolian modulations Aeolus, in Greek mythology, was god of the winds. The aeolian harp was a stringed instrument constructed to produce musical sounds when exposed to the action of the wind. Alastor a deity of revenge. amaze amazement. “And here’s a hand […]
Read more Study Help Full Glossary for The Mayor of CasterbridgeCritical Essays Theme of The Mayor of Casterbridge
The theme of The Mayor of Casterbridge appears to be the arbitrary and almost always malign workings of the universe and blind chance upon the destinies of men. Such evil, unrelenting machinations bring pain and suffering upon the characters in the novel, and there is no escape except in a […]
Read more Critical Essays Theme of The Mayor of CasterbridgeCritical Essays Point of View and Style in The Mayor of Casterbridge
Hardy’s narrative style is that of the omniscient or ubiquitous narrator. This gives him a point of view that allows him to comment upon the vagaries of nature, to place himself in the mind of a character in order to give us reasons and motives, and to philosophize or describe […]
Read more Critical Essays Point of View and Style in The Mayor of CasterbridgeCritical Essays Structure of The Mayor of Casterbridge
The Mayor of Casterbridge is one of Thomas Hardy’s most unified works. Never for a moment is Michael Henchard out of our minds. Even when whole chapters are devoted to Donald Farfrae, Lucetta Templeman, Elizabeth-Jane, or some of the minor characters, Michael Henchard’s strength of character lingers on each page […]
Read more Critical Essays Structure of The Mayor of CasterbridgeThomas Hardy Biography
Early Years Thomas Hardy was born June 2, 1840, in the village of Upper Bockhampton, about three miles from the town of Dorchester in Southwestern England. The impressions of his early youth — the people, the events, the surrounding countryside — became part of the subject matter of his “Wessex” […]
Read more Thomas Hardy BiographyCharacter Analysis Minor Characters
There are a number of rustics who not only provide atmosphere but act something like a chorus in Greek drama. Through Mrs. Cuxsom, Nance Mockridge, Christopher Coney, and Solomon Longways, the reader gets a feeling of the community, not only as it is but how it feels. These characters are […]
Read more Character Analysis Minor CharactersCharacter Analysis Abel Whittle
At first singled out for his extreme simplicity, Abel Whittle becomes more the faithful follower than the scatterbrain as the story develops. From the clownish bumpkin of the trousers episode he becomes in his fidelity to the dying Henchard a figure comparable to Lear’s Fool. His care for Henchard is […]
Read more Character Analysis Abel WhittleCharacter Analysis Jopp
Jopp is a dark character who possesses no wit, business sense, or honor. What is clearest about his character is his ability to harbor a grudge and to take joy in seeing an enemy suffer. His function in the novel is at once to serve as a villain and a […]
Read more Character Analysis JoppCharacter Analysis Newson
Newson, if we are to accept the statements of Susan and Elizabeth-Jane, is a kind, jovial man. We are given a demonstration of his kindness — or forgiving nature — when he refuses to chastise Henchard for lying to him. His trusting nature is shown again when he takes Henchard’s […]
Read more Character Analysis NewsonCharacter Analysis Lucetta Templeman (Le Sueur)
In Victorian times, Lucetta would have been considered a reckless libertine. Today we would call her a rather flighty, flirtatious, indiscreet young lady. There is not much depth to Lucetta’s character once we place her beside Elizabeth-Jane. She writes compromising letters to Henchard and takes her married life in her […]
Read more Character Analysis Lucetta Templeman (Le Sueur)