Analysis of Characters from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy E

Analysis of Characters from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas robustA young Scot who arrives in Casterbridge at about the identical time asSusan and Elizabeth-Jane, Donald Farfrae becomes Michael Henchardsbusiness manager. He quickly becomes Henchards only trusted friendand, later, his adversary in both business and love.Hardy draws Farfrae as Henchards counterpart in every way. He isphysically small, polite and charming, careful and controlled, forwardthinking, and methodical. Whereas Henchard propels his fate throughmoments of rash behavior, Farfrae is cool and sharp in all hedoes. Although his personality is friendly and engaging, Farfraemaintains a certain detachment from people and events, alwaysconsidering the possible consequences of his decisions and actionsbefore he makes them. As a result, his path through life is as smoothas Henchards is rough.Farfrae initiates a relationship with Henchard by providinginformation that is a great help to Henchard in solving a businessp roblem and by refusing Henchards offer of payment for theinformation. Henchard is so grateful and impressed that he talksFarfrae into abandoning his plans to go to the States and convinces himto take a job as Henchards business manager.Because Farfrae is more than organized and methodical than Henchard, thebusiness prospers under his management. Farfrae is ambitious enough toeventually go into business for himself, though, and this enragesHenchard even though Farfrae, in his typically principled way, triesto minimize competition between the two firms.Farfrae courts Elizabeth-Jane and even hints that he would marry herif he were in a financial position to do so, but when he meets thenewly wealth... ...ng woman who, likeHenchard, suffers several reversals of fortune and ends badly.Henchard has an thing with her before Susan arrives in Casterbridge,and this affair ruins Lucettas reputation. To try to repair thedamage, Henchard, thinking that Susan is probably dead, offers tomarry Lu cetta. Before the marriage takes place, though, Susan returns,and Henchard must call off the wedding.After Susan dies, Lucetta inherits wealth, and Henchard renews hisinterest in her. Lucetta is more interested in Farfrae, though, andmarries him. When Lucettas old letters to Henchard become public, thescandal of their affair returns to haunt them both, and Lucetta is sodistraught by this that she suffers a seizure and dies. Farfrae currentlyrealizes that Lucetta was not a good match for him and that, had shelived, their marriage would not have been happy. Themes