Michael Henchard is a complex character with many differing characteristics and throughout the entire novel it is extremely complex to decide whether Henchard is in actual fact a desperate and innocently self-seeking man or an irrational operator. This ha

After discovering the true identity of Elizabeth-Jane, Henchard in a very self-seeking and uncharitable manner, rejects her. He spares no emotions for Elizabeth-Jane and is not willing to love a stranger although earlier in the story he was convinced that Elizabeth-Jane was his own flesh and blood. Henchard’s loneliness is apparent in the mood of his walk along the riverbank. This walk confirms that Henchard’s impetuosity and fate has got the better of him again.

The bullfight is of great significance to the analysis of Henchard’s character. The violence with which Henchard controls the bull suggests the lack of finesse with which he approaches personal relationships. It is ironic that from rescuing the two women from the bull, he comforts only Lucetta, the wife of his rival and not Elizabeth-Jane who will be his only comfort in the future. The bull is a representation of Henchard’s character; strong, irritable and hard-hearted.

Henchard, already down on his luck wants Lucetta and he is not prepared to give up without a fight. Thomas Hardy deliberately puts Henchard in the wrong; and Farfrae in the right during the crash. This means that Farfrae may have rejected Elizabeth-Jane but genuinely is attracted by the presence of Lucetta. Henchard however, would enjoy hurting and torturing Farfrae if he married Lucetta. Henchard would take pleasure from using Lucetta to anger his rival, Farfrae. Henchard has no love for Lucetta yet he is still very possessive of her – “as almost his property”. The readers can relate this egoism to the time Henchard auctioned his wife and child as if they were his property, to be disposed of as he wished.

“…Henchard had kept Abel’s old mother in coals and snuff all the previous winter…”

Some topics in this essay:
Susan Elizabeth-Jane, Elizabeth-Jane Henchard, Lucetta Henchard’s, Abel Whittle, Elizabeth-Jane Henchard’s, Henchard Farfrae, Michael Henchard, Susan Henchard’s, Mariners Henchard, Mayor Casterbridge, henchard’s fate, abel whittle, susan elizabeth-jane, mayor casterbridge, fate henchard, nineteen ago, michael henchard, wife child, henchard farfrae, fate plays, mayor casterbridge fate, life michael henchard, susan elizabeth-jane life, fate plays henchard, avoid strong liquors,