Elizabeth+Jane


 * Elizabeth Jane Character Analysis**



A passive young woman of 18 years old at the time of her and her mother's arrival in Casterbridge, Elizabeth Jane is the daughter of Newson and Susan. She is sweet, innocent, and ignorant to the social taboos that are expected of a Mayor's daughter. After noticing this she strives improve the way she is viewed for the sake of Henchard by studying geography and Latin. She gradually forms herself into the young woman she thinks Henchard believes would make a wonderful daughter although Henchard never approves and she is often unhappy because of it. This is just one of many instances that she does something to help Henchard even after poor treatment or if what he wants is wrong. After he treats her very poorly for a long time she nurses him back to health and helps him with his alcohol when he begins drinking again. When he is so depressed and will see no one Elizabeth Jane visits him. Elizabeth Jane has a pure heart as illustrated through her many selfless acts in the novel and is a very compassionate individual. She is unhappy for a large part of the book when she doesn't live up Henchard's expectations as a daughter or Lucetta steals Farfrae's love from her but her passive nature doesn't let her react or do anything to stop it. This passive nature is completely opposite than Henchard's and stands as counterpoint to his inability let go of past failures. This is ultimately what leads to Henchard's downfall and the reason for Elizabeth's realization.
 * Analysis**



Her relationships throughout the story change and are usually unhappy ones. Her father Newsome is thought to be dead so her and her mother go to Casterbridge to find a "long lost relative". Shortly after her and her mother arrive in Casterbridge her mother dies and Henchard finds out she is not her biological daughter and therefore does not treat her as one but rather treats her very poorly and verbally abuses her. When Lucetta takes her in she becomes close with her but that turns slightly sour in time as Lucetta marries Farfrae who Elizabeth Jane has feelings for. Before Lucetta and Farfrae are married Elizabeth Jane and Farfrae had feelings for each other but the Henchard tells Farfrae to stop seeing her souring another relationship. Henchard and Elizabeth Jane nourishes him back to health and he apologizes for treating her so poorly. This improves their relationship somewhat. Lucetta then dies from a seizure after seeing a dummy representing her on a skimity ride Farfrae goes back to Elizabeth Jane. Newsome then reappears and tells her he is her real biological father and the Henchard told him Elizabeth was dead. This impedes Elizabeth's relationship with Henchard but she still feels sorry for him. Once Elizabeth Jane and Farfrae marry all seems to be well until it is found out that Henchard has died which further adds on to the tragedy Elizabeth Jane has experienced in her life. Even though all of these tragic events have occurred and affected her she has the ability to not act on them but make them endurable and push through it until all is well again.

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