Thomas Hardys Essay Example for Free

Thomas Hardys Essay In chapter 6, we learn that Bathsheba has inherited her uncles farm, which was very unusual, Tisnt a master, tis a mistress, shepherd. Lately came here from a distance. Took on her uncles farm, who suddenly died. Men would normally benefit rather than a women, and landowners and workers did not view her as the best prospect for the farm to begin with, one of the reasons given in chapter 45 was, she is too young and beautiful. Even Gabriel felt she was unable to manage without him, How would the farm go on with nobody to mind it but a woman. In chapter 10, she forms a resolution to run the farm without a bailiff, the workers were very amazed, She would hopefully be better than a man in the role, she promised, in order that they will have confidence in her abilities despite her being a female. In chapter 12, Bathsheba attends the corn market. Although she is dainlty dressed she is determined to brave the stares and drive hard bargains. Nearly every face turned towards her, except for which she noticed was Boldwood who didnt seem to recognize her. Now she saw him as a challenge. Going into chapter 19, Boldwoods proposal and the promises he offers would have been seen as very advantageous to her, from the view point of the society, but she turns him down, saying she wants to marry for love. However, sending the Valentine card to him has restricted her, she has had to pay the consequences and could not have turned down the proposal fully as she did with Gabriel, She had a strong feeling that having been the one who began the game, she ought in honesty to accept the consequences. There had been a second proposal from Boldwood in chapter 23, and still Bathsheba was unable to deny the proposal, Hardy even suggests she felt a, fearful joy about the situation she was in. From then on she is trapped by her behaviour, even when she marries Troy, and when he goes missing Boldwood negotiates a further marriage promise. In chapter 26, Troy is flattering Bathsheba so much that, she becomes feverish. At first she tries to behave towards Troy with a sense of independence in her, but to the end of chapter 27 she is agreeing to meet him without a chaperone, Well, I wont bring Liddy and Ill come. But only for a short time, a very short time. Bathsheba is reacting very differently to the passion offered by Troy. Bathsheba changes she becomes powerless to withstand or deny him. She loses her sense of control and becomes the opposite of herself. In chapter 34, Boldwood pleads with Troy to save Bathshebas reputation by marrying her, which indicates how much regard the Victorian society put on a womans reputation as a virgin, Oh, How can she be saved now, unless I marry her? says as he teases Boldwood. Later, we learn that Bathsheba has married Troy. In this marriage she has lost her role as a mistress of the farm. After the marriage Troy has already started ordering Bathsheba by telling her and the rest of the women to go home so the men can carry on drinking, well send the women folk home! Tis time they were in bed. Then we cockbirds will have a jolly carouse to ourselves! . This direction undermines Bathsheba in front of her workers, but it also puts the farm in jeopardy because the workers are too drunk to save the hay from the storm. In chapter 37 we find that Gabriel is working with Bathsheba and he saves the day. Bathsheba tells Gabriel of her trip to Bath, she shows her understanding that maybe she has out the farm in jeopardy by marrying Troy but she felt her reputation was at stake because she had not adhered to the general rule of society but had driven to see Troy unaccompanied late at night: I saw that a scandal might seize hold of me for meeting him alone in that way. Now, Bathsheba is getting unhappier by the day. She turns into an emotional woman and she is no longer in control of herself. Having married Troy, Troy is becoming reckless with money and Bathsheba can do nothing to stop him becoming like this. This happens because in marriage in the 19th century the husband becomes in control of his wife and his wifes possession. In chapter 51 Bathsheba is not wanting to attract anyones attention with her beauty. In chapter 56, Hardy suggests that Bathsheba has had this downfall because she had so much pride and vanity in herself. Chapter 56 also starts with Bathsheba expressing the reliance she has had on Gabriel, and so she is upset when she hears of Gabriels resignation letter, It is that I may soon have to give up the management of your farm, Mrs. Troy. The fact is, I am thinking of leaving England not ee, you know next spring. Realising that she is now reliant on Gabriel she would not refuse his marriage proposal if he were to ask again. Hardy shows that just like Fanny, Bathsheba is also reliant on the security a man can offer her and she comes to realize that this security only comes with marriage. Bathsheba has taken on the role of the typical Victorian female, dependant on marriage for security, although the relationship is based on substantial affection. In Far from the Madding Crowd Hardy illustrates the position of 19th century women as being disadvantaged. Fanny and Bathsheba both provide contrasting examples of Victorian women who were victims of the treatment of their men. In their lives they are seen in the role of second-class citizens in need of a trustworthy man for survival, unless they can survive themselves. Womens social behaviour was expected to be restricted whereas men could have very little restrictions on how they behaved. They were even admired for some of their roguish tendencies. Hardys language as he describes Fannys plight expresses his sympathy for her, but Bathshebas suffering is not dealt with in the same sympathetic response. Her character, which was independent, has changed at the end of the novel. She appeared a more reserved character accepting the role of Gabriels wife. I think that Bathsheba had wrong treatment from men as a result the way she acted, having so much pride in herself and being vain. It was good for her to have that independence in her but maybe she felt too much of her independence, which got her in a muddle. The classic example is when in the beginning of the novel Gabriel proposed to her and she did not accept, because she did not want to be thought of as mens property, yet in marrying Troy she destined herself to this very fate.