Setting+&+Theme

Mayor of Casterbridge - Home

Setting: The novel takes place in a country community in Casterbridge, England. Casterbridge is a fictional place based on the town of Dorchester.

Theme: The main themes of the novel were societal issues, secrecy, character personalities, and fate.

Explanation: The setting of the novel develops the themes that further illuminate the problems and the character as a whole. Through the setting the problems and issues that the town is facing can be seen and interpreted. For example, this explains the societal issues that were occuring when the crops weren't growing efficiently there were obvious pieces of evidence that showed the community was in turmoil especially Henchard and his impulsive competitiveness. Also that showed how Henchard and Farfrae were rivals for a while. The theme of secrecy started with the setting of the novel since the only reason Henchard moved to Casterbridge was because he makes a mistake and secretly auctions off his wife and daughter and becomes mayor of this town. As a result the town continues to not know the mistake that Henchard made. Many of the character's personalities changed along with the Setting because by the end Newsome, Lucetta, Susan had gone down different paths in their lives and learned a valuable lesson along the way. Newsome, came back to see his daughter get married, Lucetta died and got what she deserved for all of her lieing and scamming, and Susan also dies but her death brings out the true personalites of people. All of their actions chose their fate and the fact that they were set in Casterbridge made it easier to determine that.