The Main Character in The Mayor of Casterbridge Essay -- essays resear

The business of the poet and novelist is to show the sorriness profound the grandest things, and the grandeur underlying the sorriest. doubting Thomas bald-faced said this upon completion of the novel The Mayor of Casterbridge. Thomas Henchard, the main character in his novel, becomes the example to illustrate this idea. Henchard is at unmatched point the most powerful person in a down in the mouth town called Casterbridge. He is the wealthiest person and commands the most respect, but Hardy shows any(prenominal) terrible characteristics of Henchard. Because of Henchards pride and ego, he loses his fame and fortune and becomes a part of the lowest working class. There, while exhibiting some of his cruder qualities, he also shows signs of true soreness to others.While Henchard is the mayor, he scolds the chronincly late Abel for being tardy. Henchard is in Abels hut, and demands the following from Abel who is bonny waking up Out of bed, sir, and off to the granary, or you lea ve my wage today Tis to teach ye a lesson. March on never nous your britches (169)Even though Abel does deserve a punishment, he is a handsome man and such punishments like those fall into the category of cruel and unusual. A simple deduction in his pay would have been suitable, Henchard however decides to humilate him. Hardy is showing that, even in the most powerful people, human flaws contribute people do the worst of things. Hardy further sh...