Summary Three weeks after Susan’s funeral, prompted by loneliness and bothered by Elizabeth-Jane’s inability to accept him as her father, Henchard impulsively reveals to Elizabeth-Jane that he is her real father. However, he hides from her the complete truth by telling her that Susan had thought him dead and had […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 19 – Henchard Reads Susan’s LetterSummary and Analysis Chapter 18 – Susan’s Death
Summary Elizabeth-Jane’s fears for her mother are confirmed. Susan becomes seriously ill, too weak to leave her room. Henchard gets the town’s “richest, busiest doctor,” but Elizabeth-Jane now fears the worst. Henchard receives a letter from Jersey in which the young lady who had nursed him absolves him of any […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 18 – Susan’s DeathSummary and Analysis Chapter 17 – Donald Goes into Business
Summary Elizabeth-Jane is covered with shame when someone hints that “she had not been quite in her place” in dancing with such pleasure in “a mixed throng.” Donald accompanies Elizabeth-Jane to her home after she has left the dance. He reveals the break between Henchard and himself and states that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 17 – Donald Goes into BusinessSummary and Analysis Chapter 16 – Donald’s Dismissal
Summary On the occasion of the “celebration of a national event,” Donald borrows a number of rick-cloths from Henchard for an entertainment. Spurred on by Donald’s initiative, Henchard decides to provide an elaborate outdoor entertainment complete with food and games. He is sure that everyone will come to his festivities […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 16 – Donald’s DismissalSummary and Analysis Chapter 15 – Henchard and Donald Quarrel
Summary Elizabeth-Jane begins experimenting with fine clothing and before long realizes that she is considered the town beauty. Donald Farfrae becomes even more interested in her as time passes. She balances her exhilaration by reflecting sadly on her own intellectual shortcomings. One morning, vexed out of all patience by the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 15 – Henchard and Donald QuarrelSummary and Analysis Chapter 14 – Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae Are Brought Together
Summary Susan and Elizabeth-Jane fit almost inconspicuously into Henchard’s large house. Henchard is most kind to Susan, and her life begins to acquire the melancholy contentment of a late Indian summer. Elizabeth-Jane, however, finds her life growing more and more pleasurable. She no longer suffers from economic distress, and all […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 14 – Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae Are Brought TogetherSummary and Analysis Chapter 13 – The Marriage””
Summary Michael Henchard installs Susan and Elizabeth-Jane in a cottage located in the western part of Casterbridge. The cottage is pleasant and well furnished. Henchard has even acquired a servant for Susan, to help create an aura of respectability. As soon as Elizabeth-Jane and Susan are established in the cottage, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 13 – The Marriage””Summary and Analysis Chapter 12 – Henchard Tells Farfrae of His Past
Summary Henchard returns home to find Donald Farfrae working late over the books. He brings Donald into his home and they have dinner together. After dinner, as they sit beside the fire, Henchard reveals his past to his new-found friend. Donald agrees that Henchard should try to make amends to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 12 – Henchard Tells Farfrae of His PastSummary and Analysis Chapter 11 – A Meeting at the Ring
Summary Henchard meets Susan in the ruins of an old Roman amphitheatre outside of town. The amphitheatre is very large and dark, and due to the gloomy superstitions connected with its grim history almost no one comes there except for “appointments of a furtive kind.” It is for this reason […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 11 – A Meeting at the RingSummary and Analysis Chapter 10 – Henchard Buys Susan Back””
Summary While Elizabeth-Jane is waiting for Henchard, Joshua Jopp, the applicant for the position of manager of the corn department, arrives as Henchard enters the room. Henchard informs him abruptly that the position is filled and dismisses him. Jopp leaves, “his mouth twitched with anger, and bitter disappointment . . […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 10 – Henchard Buys Susan Back””