Summary Though Donald’s men have sent him a note asking him to go to Weatherbury as a pretext to spare him the sight of the skimmity-ride, they have taken no protective measures for Lucetta, since they believe she had carried on an illicit affair with Henchard. That evening the skimmity-ride […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 39 – The Skimmity-RideSummary and Analysis Chapter 38 – A Deadly Wrestling Match
Summary Henchard, as maddened by Lucetta’s scorn as Farfrae’s humiliating shove, resolves to wrestle Donald to the death. He leaves a message for Donald to meet him in the corn storage building and immediately goes there himself. Henchard knows he is stronger than Donald, so he ties his left arm […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 38 – A Deadly Wrestling MatchSummary and Analysis Chapter 37 – Henchard Greets the Royal Visitor
Summary The town receives word that a royal personage will pass through Casterbridge in the near future. Mayor Farfrae and the council arrange for an elaborate reception. Henchard comes to the council meeting and asks to participate in the reception. Donald, with the concurrence of the council, refuses, whereupon Henchard […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 37 – Henchard Greets the Royal VisitorSummary and Analysis Chapter 36 – Jopp Opens the Letters
Summary Lucetta returns home to find Jopp waiting for her. He asks her to put in a few good words with Donald about employing him. She replies that she knows nothing about him, and that it is not her custom to interfere in her husband’s business. Lucetta ends the interview […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 36 – Jopp Opens the LettersSummary and Analysis Chapter 35 – Henchard and Lucetta at the Ring
Summary In a flashback we learn that Lucetta has overheard Michael reading the letters to her husband. She fears he has revealed all, but when Farfrae retires that night she learns “to her joyous amazement” that he knows nothing of her past. The next morning she writes to Henchard and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 35 – Henchard and Lucetta at the RingSummary and Analysis Chapter 34 – Henchard Reads to Farfrae
Summary Elizabeth-Jane meets Farfrae early one morning and warns him that Henchard may try “to do something — that would injure you.” Donald makes light of the warning, but later receives a similar warning from the town clerk. We learn that Donald had offered the first fifty pounds if the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 34 – Henchard Reads to FarfraeSummary and Analysis Chapter 33 – Henchard’s Resentment Is Inflamed
Summary One Sunday Henchard takes part in the after-church discussion and song-fest which the townspeople and the choir members hold at the Three Mariners. He sees Donald and Lucetta leaving church, and under the influence of drink, forces the members of the choir to sing one of the Psalms, which […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 33 – Henchard’s Resentment Is InflamedSummary and Analysis Chapter 32 – Farfrae Hires Henchard
Summary Henchard begins to haunt one of the town’s bridges which has become known for its attraction to failures and suicides. One afternoon Jopp encounters him on the bridge and states that Donald and Lucetta have purchased Henchard’s old house and are moving in. He also tells him that the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 32 – Farfrae Hires HenchardSummary and Analysis Chapter 31 – Henchard’s Bankruptcy
Summary After the furmity woman’s revelation, Henchard’s fortunes and esteem diminish rapidly. One of his heavy debtors fails and bad judgment by one of his employees causes a serious financial loss. Bankruptcy proceedings are instituted against Henchard in which his creditors take possession of all his property. He is at […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 31 – Henchard’s BankruptcySummary and Analysis Chapter 30 – Elizabeth-Jane Leaves High-Place Hall
Summary Donald arranges to have his belongings moved to Lucetta’s home. When he arrives Lucetta informs him that she would like Elizabeth-Jane to remain and Donald consents. Elizabeth-Jane tells Lucetta that she fully understands the implications of the story she had been told of another woman’s past, and that her […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 30 – Elizabeth-Jane Leaves High-Place Hall