Mayor Of Casterbridge – Hero Essay, Research Paper

Since the late 4th century BC when Aristotle developed the model of the tragic hero, authors have been creating novels patterned after this intriguing order of events. In the novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy develops Henchard’s character as he passes through each stage in the archetypal heroic pattern. In this novel, each principal stage of the heroic pattern shapes Henchard s ever-changing character, principally through his rise, his climax, and his demise.

As Hardy’s novel begins we read of Henchard’s humble position as a hay-trusser and his disgraceful sale of Susan, his wife. This humble beginning fits the archetypal pattern of the hero s initial lowly circumstances. The first sign of Henchard’s ascent from his lowly position occurs when he regrets selling his wife. After unsuccessfully searching for his lost wife Henchard resolves to change his ways. For this reason he enters a church, making the following solemn oath as he is kneeling at the altar rail,

I, Michael Henchard do take an oath before God here in this solemn place that I will avoid all strong liquors for the space of twenty-one years to come And this I swear upon the book before me; and may I be strook dumb, blind, and helpless, if I break this my oath! When he had said it and kissed the big book, the hay-trusser arose, and seemed relieved at having made a start in a new direction. (Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Pages 15 & 16)

Henchard appears very repentant of the shameful act that he has committed, and he admits that his drinking has caused him to sell his wife. Henchard realizes what he has done, and makes no excuses for his wrongful deeds. Henchard is beginning to show some of the character traits of a typical archetypal hero: honesty, determination, and a new found strength. As he resolves to start a new phase of his life, Henchard sets out on an archetypal quest to make something of himself. Upon Henchard’s arrival at Casterbridge he is but a lowly hay trusser. Eighteen years later when Susan and Elizabeth-Jane enter Casterbridge to enquire about Henchard we see that he has risen in status, wealth, and even character.

He worked his way up from nothing when ‘a came here; and now he’s a pillar of the town. (P 33) Susan Henchard’s husband sat before them, matured in shape, stiffened in line, exaggerated in traits; disciplined He was dressed in jewelled studs, and a heavy gold chain. (P 30)

In the twenty-year interval since first entering Casterbridge, Henchard has been creating a prestigious place for himself in the town. Through good character, business skill, and honest trade Henchard has risen to a high position as mayor of Casterbridge. Henchard is no longer an impoverished hay-trusser, but a wealthy businessman with a powerful influence in the town.

In the general archetypal pattern the hero reaches a climax or a high point in his journey. Henchard also reaches a climax in his social position as well as with his noble character. Henchard has become a model man. The townspeople respect him for his kind nature, and quiet disposition. As one member of the Casterbridge community comments, ” he’s the powerfullest member of the Town Council, and quite a principal man in the country round besides. Never a big dealing in wheat, barley, oats, hay, roots, and such-like but Henchard’s got a hand in it.” (P 33) Henchard has become a renowned figure of the town. The town s people would vote only a man of very good character to be their mayor at so young an age. Henchard demonstrates that he is a skilled manager by hiring Farfrae and overseeing his workmen. The power, prestige, and reputation that Henchard possesses are quite remarkable. He is definitely a man whose character displays to observers his archetypal traits of: honesty, kindness, strength, and power. As another townsman says, “And now he’s worth ever so much a minute When a man is said to be worth so much a minute, he’s a man to be considered!” (P 80) Henchard has reached the peak of his career, definitely a man that demands attention and one of great magnitude and respect. Our hero, Henchard follows the archetypal pattern for he has completed the great feat of rising to power from his once lowly state and is rewarded with fame and prestige. Hardy uses this elevated status to help convey Henchard s good characteristics. For example, Elizabeth-Jane overhears her stepfather’s conversation just outside the house, and at another time sees through her window the way in which he interacts with Farfrae his manager. “Henchard and Farfrae in the hay-yard talking, with that impetuous cordiality on the Mayor’s part ” (P 93) “Her quiet eye discerned that Henchard’s tigerish affection for the younger man ” (P 87) Henchard is here portrayed by Hardy as a kind, affectionate man, and one for whom it is no burden to work for. “Mr. Henchard has never cussed me unfairly ever since I’ve worked for’n.” (P 33) He demonstrates patience and kindness, both virtues of the archetypal hero. Henchard s success stands out as a remarkable achievement but unfortunately one that will not remain for long.

Every tragic hero has a flaw which leads to his eventual demise. Henchard is no exception. His wealth and happiness are soon lost, and he returns to his previous state of poverty and discontentedness. For Henchard, the cause of his downfall is a return to drinking which in turn unleashes his jealousy, temper and pride. He is jealous of Farfrae and the success Farfrae attains once he begins a rival business. “The Scotchman, who’s taking the town trade so bold into his hands, must be cut out hard, keen, and unflinching grind him into the ground–starve him out” (P 178 & 179). Henchard is prepared to do whatever it takes to put Farfrae out of business, even to the extent of attempted murder. A quick temper and fierce anger are the second of Henchard’s archetypal flaws. He becomes angry and bitter against those whom he once loved and was loved by. ” she [Lucetta] herself forgot for the moment her partially justifying argument–that having discovered Henchard’s infirmities of temper ” (P 191) Lucetta, one of Henchard’s remaining companions eventually turns away from him because of his anger and impatience. Thirdly, Henchard’s pride was also a factor in his eventual demise. He was too proud to tell Newson that Elizabeth-Jane was alive and staying with him. ” a daughter of whom he could feel as proud as of the actual daughter she still believed herself to be so that the sudden prospect of her loss had caused him to speak mad lies like a child, in pure mockery of consequences” (P 286). As a result of his pride, Henchard loses the last person that loved him, Elizabeth-Jane. Up to this time she has been the only one who does not give up hope in him. Now she is gone, because of his pride and unwillingness to speak the truth. Henchard is forced to resign as mayor, and to escape his shame he must leave Casterbridge. He is once again alone and unloved, just as he was when he first entered the town.

Throughout The Mayor of Casterbridge Henchard’s character develops through the archetypal pattern of a tragic hero. He rises from his lowly position as a hay trusser to the highly esteemed position of mayor and head of a thriving grain business. Then Henchard falls to his eventual demise because of his tragic flaw of uncontrolled drinking. Through this rise and fall the reader sees a changing character who passes through all the steps, both dire and blessed, which make him a true archetypal tragic hero.