FAR FROM THE MADDING
CROWD - THOMAS HARDY
Far From The Madding Crowd is a novel
written by Thomas Hardy. He is one of the famous novelists of England who lived
in 19th century. In all his novels, he reflects the reality of our
life.
Gabriel Oak, the protagonist of this
novel lived in the village of Norcombe
in South Wessex. He started his life as a shepherd. At the age of twenty
eight he had managed to stock a small farm in Norcombe Valley with sheep bought
partly on credit. Thus he became “Farmer Oak”.
One December morning, while he was
standing on Norcombe Hill, he saw a wagon, loaded with furniture and with a
girl seated on the top of it all. The girl’s name was Bathsheba. Gabriel was
attracted by her beauty. Bathsheba was a visitor at her aunt’s house in the
village. She used to come to her aunt’s cowshed which was situated near
Gabriel’s farm. One day Bathsheba saved Oak’s life from smoke at his hut or
else he would have been suffocated to death. From that moment onwards he
started to love Bathsheba. He proposed his love to her but she denied it.
A few days after Bathsheba’s departure,
Gabriel was ruined by his untrained dog. His career as a farmer was suddenly
cut short. He was compelled to seek employment under some other farmer. He went
to Casterbridge to get a job but he failed. Then he heard that there was
another fair next day at Shottsford. It was ten miles to the other side of
Weatherbury. Gabriel arrived in Weatherbury that night. He prevented serious
damage and saved the corn belonged to Bathsheba. Bathsheba appointed Oak as a
shepherd in her farm. Gabriel rendered his service sincerely.
Farmer Boldwood a middle age, eligible bachelor in
Weatherbury was not ready to recognize the fascination of Bathsheba’s
personality. One day he called on Bathsheba. It was in connection with the
disappearance of a young servant-girl called Fanny Robin. Later he came to know
that Fanny Robin had gone with her lover who was a soldier in a cavalry
regiment.
To tease Boldwood, Bathsheba sent a
valentine in an envelope to Boldwood with a seal which bore the inscription
“Marry Me”. Boldwood identified the sender and started to love Bathsheba from
that moment onwards. When Boldwood proposed his love, Bathsheba requested him
to wait for a few weeks.
In the meantime, Bathsheba met Sergeant
Troy. He was good at handling swords. Through the skill he attracted Bathsheba.
Though she had heard all sorts of Troy’s wild and irregular life she began to
idealize it, because she was in love with Troy.
In haste, Bathsheba married Troy. After marriage Troy showed his real colour.
He resigned from the army. He drank heavily, gambled with his wife’s money and
did his best to disorganize the management of the farm. It created problem
between Bathsheba and Troy. One evening while Bathsheba and Troy were returning
home Troy met Fanny Robin. She had been seduced and betrayed by Troy. Troy
promised to meet her on Grey’s bridge just outside the town of Casterbidge.
After reaching Casterbridge, Fanny
revealed her identity to the people around. She gave birth to a child and died.
By hearing the news about the death of Fanny, Troy gave way to an outburst of
grief and affection for Fanny and his child. Next morning he disappeared from Weatherbury.
It was nearly one year after Troy’s disappearance people believed him drowned
in the sea off Budsmouth. In fact, Troy had not been drowned. He was picked up
by the boat of a ship bound for New York. In America, he settled down as a
gymnastic instructor. Then he was tired of it and returned to England. When he
saw Bathsheba in Greenhill Fair, he felt ashamed of himself and kept away from
Bathsheba. Gabriel was promoted to be Bathsheba’s bailiff and became the
manager of Boldwood’s farm as well.
Farmer Boldwood once again proposed his
love and requested her to consider whether she would marry him at least at the
end of seven years when Troy could be legally presumed to be dead. Bathsheba
did not wish to give the farmer a conditional promise to marry him.
Six years after Boldwood arranged a grand
Christmas Party. He invited all the people of Weatherbury. He was waiting for
the favorable reply from Bathsheba. Unexpectedly Troy came to the party.
Boldwood got angry and shot Troy. Troy fell dead. Boldwood tried to shot
himself but was saved by his servant. Then he was put in Jail.
When Bathsheba was seriously ill Gabriel
took care of the farm and her affairs faithfully. One day Gabriel told her of
his intention to resign his post and emigration to America. Bathsheba was
alarmed of it. She was not ready to accept his resignation because she had
began to love him. One morning the marriage between Gabriel and Bathsheba took
place very quietly in the Weatherbury Church. Thus the novel ends with happy
note.
