Psychological Realism in The Mayor of Casterbridge

Department Of English

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji

Bhavnagar University

 

Name: Bhatt Vidhi Rajeshkumar

Roll No.: 18

SEM: 04

Year: 2012-13

Subject: A study of Author: Thomas Hardy

Assignment Topic: Psychological Realism in The Mayor of Casterbridge

Submitted To: Heenaba Zala

§     A psychological novel, also called psychological realism, is a work of prose fiction which places more than the usual amount of emphasis on interior characterization, and on the motives, circumstances, and internal action which springs from, and develops, external action. The psychological novel is not content to state what happens but goes on to explain the motivation of this action. In this type of writing character and characterization are more important than usual, and they often delve deeper into the mind of a character than novels of other genres.

§    In its wealth of realistic details, Hardy’s descriptive style created his Wessex world with such conviction and through ness that he becomes the model for dozens of other regional novelists. His realism is not now appreciated as much as his move tragic, universal qualities, but it contributes substantially in the Mayor of Casterbridge to the total tragic effect.

§    Thomas hardy gave the subtitle of the Mayor of casterbridge is: “A man of a character” which is fully on the character of Michael Henchard. He is the man who always in pride, ego and because of this, he met with tragic end. And because of him many characters like Susan, Lucetta suffers a lot in their lives.

§    First, Henchard is as an ordinary man. He had a wife named Susan and also had a beautiful daughter named Elizabeth Jain.

§    In the very first chapter, he sells his wife and daughter in five guineas to the stranger and that is Newson. Next morning he comes to know about the whole thing but it was too late and he decided to get out of this as soon as he can.

§    Eighteen years have passed. Michael Henchard became the mayor of casterbridge. He is now searching for his wife and beautiful daughter. And he had relationship with Lucetta. On other hand, Elizabeth Jane became a beautiful woman.

§    Susan and her daughter Elizabeth Jane came to casterbridge and they found that the mayor is none other but her husband.

§    Henchard and Frafrae started the business in partnership.

§    At the time passes, Susan meets Henchard in the ring. Henchard insists they proceed with caution and devises a plan. Susan will take a cottage in town as the widow of Newson and allow Henchard to court and marry her, there by restoring both their marriage and his role as Elizabeth Jane’s father without revealing past.

§    Here, we come to know that he wants everything in his life without losing anything. In this, he wants his wife back but in different manner, he was not directly accepted Susan and his daughter that things show his ego.

§    As Henchard’s plan, Susan took a cottage in the town and Henchard continuously visiting.

§    After the death of Susan, Henchard decides to tell Elizabeth Jane the truth about the relationship between him and her mother.

§    Besides this, He goes upstairs to search for some documents to prove his relationship to Elizabeth Jane and discovers the letter that Susan wrote before her death. Henchard learns that Elizabeth is not his daughter but Newson’s daughter.

§    His pride and ego hurt again and he started hating Elizabeth Jane.

§    Now he was alone in his life so he wants to stay Elizabeth Jane with him but he leaves her father’s home.

§    And Elizabeth started living with Miss Lucetta and she enjoys living with Lucetta.

§    Elizabeth Jane wonders about Henchard’s familiarity with Lucetta but soon learns that they have met previously and that Lucetta is interested in Farfrae.

§    When Elizabeth Jane is out, Henchard calls on Lucetta and tells her that he is ready for them to be married. She refused for that and also remembering the past condition.

§    Henchard meets Farfrae and started to suspect Farfrae is his rival for Lucetta’s affection. 

§    This shows that Henchard is now in frustrated condition and he wants to get someone support in his life but he falls to get so that he started suspecting people who were around him.

§    He threatens Lucetta to reveal their past intimacy unless she agrees to marry him. With Elizabeth Jane as a witness, she agrees to do so. And Lucetta becomes deeply miserable that she has agreed to marry him.

§    The furmity woman’s revelation about Henchard’s past spread through the town, overshadowing all ‘amends he had made’. His reputation as a man of honor and prosperity declines rapidly.

§    Elizabeth Jane comes to know that Henchard started to drink again.

§    Lucetta overhears the conversation between Frafrae and Henchard and becomes extremely agitated, fearing that Henchard will reveal her authorship of the letters.

§    The citizens of casterbridge soon become aware of “Royal Personage” plans to pass through the town and Henchard vows to welcome them but Farfrae forcefully drags Henchard decided to take revenge.

§    When Henchrd goes in search of Elizabeth Jane he comes to know the death of Lucetta.

§    Henchard goes home and Elizabeth falls asleep and Newson comes. He tells Henchard that he has heard of Susan’s death and asks about Elizabeth Jane.

§    He is not ready to say the truth so, he tells to Newson that Elizabeth is no more and Newson departs in sorrow.

§    Elizabeth Jane meets Newson and immediately understand the reason for Henchard sudden departure.

§    On the day of marriage, Elizabeth Jane and Farfrae, Henchard wants to give bless to the new-married couple but not to do so, he only give birdcage with a bird.

§    And last the novel ends with the promise of his obscurity. There is no greater punish for a man whose every struggle has been to secure his public standing than the dictum that he be forgotten; in keeping with his character, Henchard has already embraced this punishment.