Study Questions &
Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. The Mayor of
Casterbridge tells the story of one man's fall and another's rise.
Indeed, Henchard's fortune seems inversely proportional to Farfrae's:
whatever Henchard loses, Farfrae gains. Is this a believable exchange?
If not, is there something more important than realism suggested
by Henchard's relationship with Farfrae?
2. Discuss the
role of coincidence in the novel. Many critics of Hardy have argued
that the astonishing coincidences throughout The Mayor of Casterbridge make
the story improbable and unbelievable. Do you think this is the case?
3. Discuss the
role of the peasants of Casterbridge, such as Christopher Coney,
Solomon Longways, Nance Mockridge, and Mother Cuxsom.
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Hardy described himself as
a determinist—in other words, he believed that the course of human
life was shaped by forces, internal or external, beyond human control.
Does this philosophy hold true in The Mayor of Casterbridge?
What forces are responsible for shaping Henchard's life?
2. Is Henchard a tragic character?
Why or why not? Does he possess a tragic flaw that leads to his
downfall? If so, what is it?
3. Discuss the similarities between
Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae, as well as those between Henchard and
Lucetta. What effects does Hardy achieve through these pairings?
4. Is Henchard a sympathetic
character? Should we pity him at the end of the novel, or does he
seem to get exactly what he deserves?
