Henchard+&+Farfrae

=Donald Farfrae-=

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Donald Farfrae is a Scotchman that comes to Casterbridge around the time as Susan and Elizabeth Jane. He is a genuine human being. He doesn't set out to spite anyone or intentionally harm them. He is a prosperous business man, that strives toward success at various points throughout the novel. His good humor and polite ways make him popular in the town, eventually allowing him to becomethe Mayor. Farfrae serves as a foil for Henchard.======

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"Character is Fate, said Novalis, and Farfrae’s character was just the reverse of Henchard’s, who might not inaptly be described as Faust has been described—as a vehement gloomy being who had quitted the ways of vulgar men without light to guide him on a better way."(Ch.17) Unlike Henchard, he relies on his intelligence and ambition. For instance, when he comes to Casterbridge he banishes their grain troubles by salvaging the bad crop. Farfrae leans towards technology and leads the process of converting the town. Farfrae doesn't act for himself but rather for others. He strives to better the world in his own way, always thinking of others. "So determined was he to do nothing which should seem like trade-antagonism to the mayor that he refused his first customer--a large farmer of good repute-- because Henchard and this man had dealt together within the preceding three months."(Ch. 17) Even when Henchard is attacking him, Farfrae still pauses to consider what Henchard is going through. Although, with the people around him Farfrae can be emotionally distant, he still appeals to the town as a charismatic man. He does not let his feelings affect his judgment unlike Henchard. Farfrae is simply an honest man trying to better the world.======

Throughout the story, Farfrae develops a bond with many people. The first is Henchard. Upon arriving into town, they form a friendship and Henchard opens the door for Farfrae into his business. But then Henchard's envy rears its head and the two fall out. Yet even after Henchard attacks him, Farfrae tries to support him. Farfrae also connects with Elizabeth-Jane, but when he learns that Henchard disapproves of their relationship, Farfrae honorably quits perusing her and marries Lucetta. Unfortunately Lucetta passes away and later on Farfrae reconnects with Elizabeth-Jane and the two marry.

=Michael Henchard-= "The man was of fine figure, swarthy, and stern in aspect; and he showed in profile a facial angle so slightly inclined as to be almost perpendicular." (Ch. 1) Michael Henchard is a man of many ups and many downs. He lives his regrets and never lets them go. He is impulsive and emotional. He thinks of himself and his reputation multiple times through out the novel. Henchard seems to be followed by a cloud of bad luck throughout his life that puddle together with his own mistakes to create a river that Henchard has to swim through. His name is very important to him and this makes his grief even more dramatic when his will states that no one should remember him or his name. After selling his wife and children, his first thought as he wakes up is whether anyone knows his name and whether his name has been tarnished. Then, in the future Henchard works his way up to Mayor of Casterbrigde, all the while keeping a firm grip on his name and reputation. The town knows him as an honest person with a worthy name. Yet his mistakes haunt him, such as his rained out party or common mishaps with grain. Guilt after every mistake fuels the internal fire brewing with in him. The more he punishes himself the farther he falls. He might, for instance, have had a happy marriage with Lucetta, yet remarries Susan, the woman he doesn't love. Although Henchard creates a bond with Farfrae, after realizing Farfraes ambition, Henchard turns their friendship into a contest of which he, and through no fault of Farfrae's, loses. Yet whatever pain Henchard is feeling and punishing himself with, he bears it. All of this leads to his sad will. It is in these actions that bring him to the level of a tragic hero, a man whose name actually deserves to be remembered. ** "MICHAEL HENCHARD’S WILL " ** That Elizabeth-Jane Farfrae be not told of my death, or made to grieve on account of me.& that I be not bury’d in consecrated ground. & that no sexton be asked to toll the bell. & that nobody is wished to see my dead body. & that no murners walk behind me at my funeral. & that no flours be planted on my grave. & that no man remember me. To this I put my name. Michael Henchard

Throughout the story, Henchard befriends and loses many key relationships. The first being with Susan and his daughter Elizabeth, when he sells them to Newsome. After that, he has an affair with Lucetta and ruins her reputation in Jersey, eventually adding to her reason to retreat to Casterbrigde. He pursues her with little interest and she forgets him for Farfrae. Also, after eighteen years, he reconnects with Susan and Elizabeth only to have Susan die and realized Elizabeth is not his real daughter. To which he holds a grugde against Elizabeth at no fault of her own and forces her to leave. Henchard turns against Farfrae and is determined to find a fault in him to the point that Henchard loses himself. Finally, at his lowest moments of contemplating suicide, Elizabeth returns just to be lost again after finding out about Henchard's lies.