Tarah Leake

Far From the Madding Crowd was written in 1874 by Thomas Hardy and would prove to be his first and greatest literary success. Hardy was a devoted reader of philosophy, science, and Greek literature. Hardy struggled to find a balance between his religious upbringing and his scientific interests influenced by Darwin. In his later years, Hardy had almost completely abandoned the Scriptures and turned to science for knowledge and meaning to life. Fortunately, when Hardy wrote the Romantic novel Far From the Madding Crowd, he still had an appreciation for his religious background and incorporated Biblical values and themes. The major themes in this novel are the rejection of society, the scrutiny of vanity, and the praise of honor and humility. Biblical values are evident in the contrasting qualities of vanity and humility, displayed by Bathsheba, Sergeant Troy, and Gabriel. An evident supporting theme is love’s ability to completely change the mind and attitude of those involved as seen with all characters, especially William Boldwood and Bathsheba. In opposition to these dynamic characters, Gabriel Oak and Sergeant Troy remain true to themselves in both positive and negative ways. The first important theme of this literary work is the rejection of society represented by the title itself.

The title reveals Hardy’s values and view of society; it carries the ideology of reminiscing the “good old days.” Hardy was raised on the English countryside and had an appreciation for hard-working people and simple farm life. As he aged, Hardy witnessed a general depression of work ethic as society became more industrial and modernized. Far From the Madding Crowd illustrates Hardy’s desire to remain separate from the modern city people around him and remain true to the roots of his childhood, which he deemed much more noble. Hardy originally extracted his title for this novel from the poem “Elegy Written in a Country Courtyard” by Thomas Gray. The poem depicts a similar notion of appreciation for a hard day’s work, capturing the typical life of farmers. It is no wonder with this same appreciation for nature and farming, Hardy was inspired by the words of Gray. The line in the poem that inspired Hardy’s novel reads, “Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife, their sober wishes never learn’d to stray; / Along the cool sequester’d vale of life they kept the noiseless tenor of their way.”

Hardy’s admiration of a virtuous life is not only evident in the title but also in the personifications of his characters. The characters depict both extremes of vanity and humility. The two main characters (and love interests of the novel) are Gabriel Oak and Bathsheba Everdene. Gabriel Oak, the hero of the novel, is a shepherd and farmer who has the greatest moral disposition of anyone. He is humble, honest, loyal, takes responsibility, and is willing to sacrifice his own comfort for that of others. He begins as a successful farmer whose love is unrequited by the beautiful mistress, Bathsheba Everdene. Even after Bathsheba refuses to marry him, Gabriel promises to drop the matter but swears “I shall do one thing in this life — one thing certain — that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die.” When his sheep die in a tragic accident, Gabriel knows he has lost all of his insurance and means of financial security, yet, his first thought is one of selflessness. Gabriel thanks God Bathsheba refused his marriage, because he could have never supported them financially after the accident. Hardy writes, “It was as remarkable as it was characteristic that the one sentence he uttered was in thankfulness.” Gabriel travels around looking for a job and ends up saving Bathsheba’s farmers from a fire, not knowing it is her farm. He is rewarded with an offer to work on the farm and agrees to it. As he works on the farm, he is bothered by Bathsheba’s cold treatment to her next suitor, Mr. Boldwood. Although Gabriel risks losing his job, he reprimands Bathsheba for her actions not because it benefits him, but because he truly sympathizes with Boldwood. In chapter twenty, Hardy praises the fact Gabriel knows he has no chance with Bathsheba but still restrains himself from attempting to sabotage her future relationships: “Thoroughly convinced of the impossibility of his own suit, a high resolve constrained him not to injure that of another. This is a lover’s most stoical virtue, as the lack of it is a lover’s most venial sin.”

In stark contrast to the virtue and morality expressed by Gabriel, Bathsheba is vain, cold, and self-absorbed for the majority of the novel. The first time Gabriel sees her, she is staring at herself in the mirror and Gabriel tells the gate guard the woman has one fault, vanity. When Gabriel comes to ask Bathsheba’s aunt for her hand in marriage, her aunt warns that her niece has several suitors. Bathsheba cruelly chases after Gabriel to tell him this isn’t true, which Gabriel takes to mean she is interested in him. Then she denies his proposal, clarifying she only meant to tell him “nobody has got me yet as a sweetheart, instead of my having a dozen, as my aunt said; I hate to be thought men’s property in that way.” Bathsheba goes on to say, “A marriage would be very nice in one sense. People would talk about me, and think I had won my battle, and I should feel triumphant… I shouldn’t mind being a bride at a wedding, if I could be one without having a husband. But since a woman can’t show off in that way by herself, I shan’t marry.” Bathsheba reveals the extent of her egotism by this remark; the only part she likes about a wedding is how much attention she would receive but doesn’t want the love or commitment associated with it. As if this does not wound Gabriel enough, she refutes his vow to love her forever by harshly retaliating with the statement, “It wouldn’t do, Mr. Oak. I want somebody to tame me; I am too independent; and you would never be able to, I know.” At this time, she is poor and has not yet been given the farm, yet she still carries a haughty attitude and thinks herself too independent for any simple man.

Another major suitor for Bathsheba is the eligible bachelor, William Boldwood. The name suggests his reserved, wooden persona as he is a difficult man to please; every young woman who has tried to woo him has failed. However, Boldwood’s heart is quickly captured by Bathsheba’s beauty and wealth, and when she sends him a valentine for personal amusement, Boldwood falls completely in love. Boldwood expresses how Bathsheba, without realizing it, has changed his entire mindset: “I had never any views of myself as a husband in my earlier days, nor have I made any calculation on the subject since I have been older. But we all change, and my change, in the matter, came with seeing you. I have felt lately, more and more, that my present way of living is bad in every respect. Beyond all things, I want you as my wife.”

Not only does Bathsheba unwillingly enact a change in Boldwood, but this gentleman also awakens a change within her. Instead of reacting sharply, Bathsheba’s heart “swelled with sympathy for the deep-natured man who spoke simply … She had a strong feeling that, having been the one who began the game, she ought in honesty to accept the consequences.” She even admits to Boldwood she never intended for this to happen and she is “wicked to have made [him] suffer so.” Boldwood is quite disheartened and goes away somber and lost. Hardy writes the “realities then returned upon him like the pain of a wound received in an excitement which eclipses it, and he, too, then went on,” depicting the common trend of one’s heart betraying its owner in this novel. Gabriel had thought Bathsheba’s pursuit was an act of love and Boldwood had thought the valentine one as well. These were far too optimistic notions as Hardy cynically writes, “The rarest offerings of the purest loves are but a self-indulgence, and no generosity at all.” Bathsheba begins to crack under the realization of how she has hurt so many others. She even lowers herself enough to work on the farm alongside Gabriel and asks him for his opinion concerning her conduct with Boldwood. Gabriel scolds her for having tricked Boldwood with the valentine and rebukes her character, calling it “unworthy of any thoughtful, meek, and comely woman.” At this comment, Bathsheba turns red and follows Gabriel’s insults with a few of her own, instructing him to leave the farm by the end of the week. Gabriel remains calm and promises to be gone by the end of the day. Bathsheba puts up the front of being strong and offended by his disrespect for her as a boss, but on the inside, she is deeply saddened because she cares about Gabriel’s opinion of her, even if she doesn’t want to. Shortly after Gabriel leaves, Bathsheba must completely humble herself and beg for his return because the sheep are dying and he is the only one who can heal them. At first, Gabriel refuses to help and her farmhands tell Bathsheba she must use more delicate language with him. She struggles to lower herself to him, but she cannot bear to see the innocent animals suffer (another mark of progression in her character). When she sees Gabriel riding up on his horse, she runs to him and reprimands him saying, “Oh, Gabriel, how could you serve me so unkindly!” Author Thomas Hardy clarifies, “It was a moment when a woman’s eyes and tongue tell distinctly opposite tales. Bathsheba was full of gratitude.” After saving nearly all the sheep, Gabriel rejoins Bathsheba’s crew upon her request.

The final suitor Bathsheba encounters is the reckless and proud Sergeant Troy. They have a flirtatious relationship together and Bathsheba allows him to kiss her and take her on a date, which she would have refused entirely in the past. However, Sergeant Troy is a poor person for Bathsheba to relinquish her independence to and Hardy writes, “When a strong woman recklessly throws away her strength, she is worse than a weak woman who has never had strength to throw away.” Hardy is once again revealing how the haughty rich are undeserving of love, while the honest farmer is far more virtuous. Gabriel and Boldwood know of Troy’s reckless past with the now pregnant and abandoned Fanny Robin. They are concerned and decide to confront Bathsheba about her infatuation with this undesirable man. Bathsheba is crass with Gabriel and refuses to listen to him. She attempts to fire him again, but he refuses to leave for her own safety. When Bathsheba hears others gossiping about her relationship with Troy, she is furious and orders them not to discuss her personal life. She claims she loves Troy but then proceeds to burst into tears as she realizes she has completely lost herself.

Bathsheba finalizes her feelings for Boldwood in a letter clearly expressing her disinterest in marrying him; however, Boldwood cannot let her go. Bathsheba is frightened by Boldwood’s obsession and his threats to bring misery upon Sergeant Troy. Bathsheba defends Troy’s honor and begs Boldwood not to hurt him, but Boldwood is blinded by his jealousy. Bathsheba would have once found it amusing to have men fighting over her, but she is now wrecked with worry and guilt of a possible quarrel ensuing on her behalf. Boldwood offers Troy money to leave or at least honor Bathsheba by marrying her. Troy plays along for a while but then reveals he and Bathsheba are already married. Troy has cruelly humiliated Boldwood and proceeds to lock him out of the house all night. Troy boasts about the secret marriage and patronizes the farmhands. Gabriel sees problems arising in the marriage and sympathizes with the miserable Boldwood. Troy gets all of the male farmhands drunk, demonstrating Troy’s recurring pride and lack of responsibility. Gabriel slips out and realizes there is a terrible storm coming; he is again the hero and single-handedly saves all of the crops and animals from the rainstorm. The only one who comes to his aid in the downpour is Bathsheba. Once again, Bathsheba admits her personal struggle with relationships, seeking approval and guidance from Gabriel. She confesses she did not mean to marry Troy and did so in a state of “jealousy and distraction.” Gabriel cannot form an appropriate response and asks Bathsheba to go inside and rest.

As the marriage ensues, Bathsheba is miserable due to Troy’s irresponsibility with their money. Troy reacts with the cold and immature response, “You have lost all the pluck and sauciness you formerly had.” One day, Troy encounters a woman who turns out to be Fanny Robin, alive and breathing. Troy recognizes her and offers money and shelter, but he swears to Bathsheba he has no idea who this woman is. Shortly after this encounter, Fanny gives birth to Troy’s child, but both she and the baby die in the process. Rumors spread quickly and Bathsheba desires the advice and guidance of Gabriel alone. Despite the crass whispers surrounding her, Bathsheba takes it upon herself to oversee the burial of Fanny and her child, demonstrating a huge growth in maturity and virtue. Sergeant Troy demonstrates his first moment of weakness and remorse as he looks in the coffin of his lawful wife and child; Troy confesses everything to Bathsheba. He tells her he is a bad, black-hearted man, admitting Fanny is his wife in the eyes of God and “I am not morally yours.” Bathsheba spends the night outside; Troy is gone in the morning.

The following months involve Bathsheba believing Troy drowned himself and she relinquishes the farm to Gabriel as she is weakened by the previous events. This surrendering of her main source of income demonstrates her trust and confidence in Gabriel. Boldwood attempts to regain Bathsheba’s love and again asks for her hand in marriage, proving his insane persistence in winning her love. Bathsheba goes to Gabriel for advice worried that if she refuses Boldwood again, he may lose all hope for living; she says this “in a spirit the very reverse of vain” for she is grieved and troubled by it, displaying regret of her past attitudes toward people. Gabriel tells her honestly “the real sin, ma’am in my mind, lies in thinking of every wedding wi’ a man you don’t love honest and true.” In the past, Bathsheba would have been outraged by this comment, but she now simply replies, “That I am willing to pay the penalty of.”

The story comes to a close with Boldwood hosting a suspicious Christmas party, at which he murders Sergeant Troy. Troy had meant to remain hidden, however, when he hears of the possibility of Boldwood’s proposal, he decides to attend the party in disguise. Even in his last moments, Troy is self-obsessed and physically clutching Bathsheba, claiming her as his territory. After committing murder, Boldwood goes into temporary hiding and is sentenced to death by hanging. Gabriel, once again in his infinite compassion, requests the courts to reconsider the case, which results in Boldwood’s pardon. Gabriel and Bathsheba admit their love and decide to get married. Gabriel’s humility has clearly rubbed off on Bathsheba as seen when she requests “the most private, secret, plainest wedding that is possible to have,” an obvious antipode to her narcissistic personality at the beginning of the novel. She has learned the painful price of sitting in the constant spotlight with other lives revolving around her own. Many characters failed to adapt and recognize their faults, and in Troy and Boldwood’s case, they paid the ultimate price for their stubbornness. However, the pure light in Gabriel’s heart is enough to open Bathsheba’s eyes to her sinful ways. Bathsheba no longer desires to be the talk of the town; she is content to be far from the madding crowd with the man she loves.