Michael Henchard in the Mayor Casterbridge - Term Paper Example

Michael Henchard in the Mayor Casterbridge Introduction Michael Henchard is a character in the Mayor of Casterbridge written by Thomas Hardy. The protagonist in this novel has many encounters, many challenges than the hero that most individuals come across in the novels. At the same time, Thomas Hardy, the author, wants the readers to sympathize with the protagonist, Michael Henchard because of the many flaws he undergoes. The author should then show clearly that the bad stuff or the flaws done with the Henchard result of his own wanting personality which proves unchangeable. In order for the author to convince the readers, he should know how to balance such that it becomes not very clear to the readers that his intentions were to make the protagonist face of the challenges. Instead, the readers should get the picture that the probable reason behind the behavior and the poor decision-making that Henchard makes is due to his personality. Thomas Hardy in his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge, seeks to give answers to the questions most people ask in the daily lives and thus it addresses issues happening in real life situations. Therefore, this essay majorly discusses the reasons as to why Michael Henchardmakes very poor decisions (Hardy 51). In the begging of the novel, Michael Henchard walks with his wife, Susan along the road as they look for a job. The author gives a vivid description of Michael Henchard. He describes him as a man with a fine figure, has a stern aspect and is swarthy (Hardy 1). He continues to describe his inclined face to a perpendicular angle. Through his walk, one could tell that he belonged to a class of skilled countrymen and not just any laborer. The author does not mention the name of the protagonist throughout the chapter. The author refers him to as the man or the hay- trusseruntil his wife, Susan calls him by his name and later in the second chapter when he swears and gives oath that he would no longer take alcohol (Kastan 28). The main reason the author, Hardy takes so long to mention the name of the main character; Michael Henchard is because he wants to show the readers the universal aspect of the main character. He also wanted to show that the main character is flexible it can be any person and that is the reason he compares the main character with any types, which are general, and by comparing him to any other skilled country man. The author does not also give any supporting history of the main character, the only story that the readers notice about Henchard is that he married Susan at eighteen years old. This depicts that the main character in this novel could be any casual person, anybody. In spite, the fact that Hardy describes the main character, Henchard as unknown in the beginning of the novel, he goes on to say that, he is universal and unique at the same time. He describes him as being personal to himself and has cynical and dogged indifference. Hardy mentions these characteristics of Henchard from the begging of the novel and thus the readers believe that these characteristics of Henchard contribute to the poor decisions he makes (Herdon, and Hardy 63). The factthatHenchard is personal and takes time to analyze every word that he is told and comes up with his own decisions, which in most cases was not intended to bring out hence he ends up making wrong decisions. The characteristics that make Henchard unique as the author puts is the fact that he believes in superstition and spirituality. Henchard is very sensitive to nature and the natural happening in the world. This is what brings about the major difference between Farfrae and Henchard. Farfrae is practical and has a literal mind as portrayed in the novel. On the other hand, Henchard is very keen and sensitive on matters that are symbolic to him and the happenings of the natural world. The readers also discover his superstitious nature when he swears and takes an oath not to drink alcohol anymore (Hardy 2). The aspect of his sensitive nature can be an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time. For example, the fact that he sometimes appreciates music may give him some comfort. On the other hand, the fact that he is over- sensitive to very little issues may enable him to see issues as offensive in a matter that they really did not mean to offend. This also contributes to the poor decisions thatHenchard makes because he does not base on genuine arguments, instead he things personally. The author says that Henchard had to register a greater oath than he had ever registered before and thus he required coming up with a proper imagery to express his oath. Hardy goes on to say that something is wrong with the beliefs of Herchard (Gaines, and Hopson 93). Hardy uses the term fetishistic to describe the spirituality of Henchard whereby he believed every object and every happening had a symbol. He took very keen measures on the physical world and the nature of the earth. Every situation that he encounters, he has to think deeply and associate it with divine meaning. For instance, when Lucetta asks him to see her because she wanted to get back her letters and she suggests the meeting venue to be at the Casterbridge Ring around the old Roman amphitheater. This is a coincidence because Henchard married Susan at the same venue and he Luccetta did not know about this. Therefore, Henchard taking a keen thought on this matter and he decides that this must be symbolic in a way. Eventually he assumes and starts looking for the importance that this signifies (Rozman, and Kennedy 73). Henchard has red and black passions at the same time. He is very passionate but at the same time in case of any arising matter, his passion changes. For example, music can make his passions change suddenly. Hardy says that music has some regal power over Hencard, music can arouse his emotions, but unfortunately, he considers it fate that this drive that music gives him does not occur the time he needs it more (Hardy 41). Music creates some tragic effect in his life; he feels music deeply although he does not know how to sing. Unlike Farfrae who is able to express his emotions through singing, humming, or even whistling. Music could be the only way to keep his emotions up and high (Carroll 56). Conclusion The readers can blame the temper that Henchard for it had caused him to many unnecessary, which include, selling his wife, losing his friendship with Farfrae, and his temper made him send Elizabeth-Jane away. This becomes a flaw. On the other hand, he is better because his temper is very visible not like the temper of Lucetta which is hidden. She hides what she feels and later disguises herself with clothes and makeup. The advantage of Henchard is that he cannot hide his temper but he can control his temper. The readers can conclude that the reason as to why Henchard makes poor decisions all his life in the novel is his great and high temper; he makes his decisions in temper.Hardy has addressed in his novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge, has addressed issues that happen in the real life. Some individuals exist who think and make decisions just like the main character, Henchard. It is a problem that it has to be addressed though chances of change are minimal but individuals have to try their best to eliminate such reasoning and thus coming up with proper reasoning. Work Cited Carroll, Joseph. Graphing Jane Austen: The Evolutionary Basis of Literary Meaning. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Internet resource. Gaines, Rebecca, and David Hopson.The Mayor of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy. New York, NY: Spark Pub, 2002. Print. Hardy, Thomas. The Mayor of Casterbridge : the Life and Death of a Man of Character, by Thomas Hardy: A Lively Learning Guide. Sunnyvale, Calif.: Shmoop University, 2010. Internet resource. Hardy, Thomas. The Mayor of Casterbridge. London: CRW, 2003. Print. Herdon, Tim, and Thomas Hardy.The Mayor of Casterbridge.Singapore: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print. Kastan, David S. The Oxford Encyclopedia of British Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print. Rozman, Andreja, and Victor Kennedy.The Analysis of Characters and Themes of Morality, Class and Marriage in Thomas Hardy's Novels Far from the Madding Crowd and the Mayor of Casterbridge: DiplomskaNaloga. Maribor: A. Rozman, 2000. Print. Read More