The Mayor of Casterbridge · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy.
Chapter 1
The Sale of a Wife
In late summer, before the nineteenth century had reached one-third of its span, a young couple—Michael Henchard and his wife Susan—approach the village of Weydon-Priors with their infant daughter. They walk in strained silence, Henchard reading a ballad sheet to avoid conversation. At a furmity tent, Henchard, growing drunk, jokingly offers to sell his wife. The crowd initially treats it as a jest, but when a sailor named Newson appears and offers five guineas, the transaction becomes real. Susan, weary of her husband, agrees, and the sailor pays the money, taking Susan and the child away.
Chapter 2
Chapter II
Michael Henchard awakens after selling his wife and child at the fair. He finds his wife's ring and the sailor's banknotes, confirming the events were real. After a period of regret and anger, he takes a solemn oath in a church to abstain from alcohol for twenty-one years. He then searches for his wife and child but fails to find them, eventually settling in Casterbridge.
Chapter 3
III
Susan Henchard, now calling herself Mrs. Newson, returns to the fair at Weydon-Priors with her daughter Elizabeth-Jane, eighteen years after Henchard sold her. The fair has declined, and Susan seeks information about Henchard's whereabouts from the old furmity woman, who recalls that Henchard said he was going to Casterbridge. Susan decides they will go there.
Chapter 4
IV
Susan Henchard, burdened by her past and the secret of her marriage to Michael Henchard, decides to seek him out in Casterbridge in hopes of improving her daughter Elizabeth-Jane's prospects. She reveals nothing of the true story to Elizabeth, who remains unaware of her mother's earlier life. They travel to Casterbridge, observing the town's old-fashioned character, and upon arriving, overhear Henchard's name mentioned, confirming he is still there. Susan resolves to make private inquiries before revealing herself.
Chapter 5
V
Elizabeth-Jane and her mother Susan arrive in Casterbridge and observe a public dinner at the King's Arms hotel, where they discover that Michael Henchard is the Mayor. Through conversations with locals, they learn of Henchard's reputation as a powerful businessman and a strict teetotaller bound by a gospel oath. Henchard faces public criticism over bad bread made from his wheat, which he deflects by announcing his search for a manager. Susan, overwhelmed by seeing her estranged husband, expresses a desire to leave, while Elizabeth-Jane is intrigued by her newfound relative.
Chapter 6
Chapter VI
Elizabeth-Jane and her mother, having seen Henchard, decide to seek lodging at the Three Mariners after hearing a waiter's recommendation. Meanwhile, a young Scotsman, Donald Farfrae, arrives in Casterbridge, writes a note to Henchard about the corn trade, and heads to the same inn. Henchard, intrigued by the note, leaves the King's Arms and strolls toward the Three Mariners.
Chapter 7
Chapter VII
Elizabeth-Jane and her mother arrive at the Three Mariners inn, where they struggle with the cost of accommodation. Elizabeth offers to help the landlady to offset their expenses. Meanwhile, Henchard meets Donald Farfrae, a young Scotsman who demonstrates a method to restore spoiled wheat. Despite Henchard's generous offer of employment, Farfrae declines, intent on emigrating to America. Henchard, impressed by Farfrae's skill and character, reveals his past vow of temperance and his regret over a past deed.
Chapter 8
VIII
Elizabeth-Jane observes Donald Farfrae singing at the Three Mariners, captivating the patrons with his emotional Scottish songs. Meanwhile, Henchard, outside, is drawn to the singing and reflects on his loneliness. Later, Elizabeth-Jane and her mother discuss their situation, with Susan worrying that Elizabeth-Jane's serving at the inn might harm Henchard's pride.
Chapter 9
IX
Elizabeth-Jane observes Henchard and Farfrae parting ways, only for Henchard to persuade Farfrae to stay and work for him. Susan decides to send Elizabeth-Jane to Henchard with a message revealing their kinship. Elizabeth-Jane finds Farfrae already installed in Henchard's office.
Chapter 10
The Return of Susan and Elizabeth-Jane
Elizabeth-Jane Newson arrives in Casterbridge and delivers a message to Michael Henchard, revealing that her mother, Susan Newson, is alive and in town. Henchard, who had long believed them dead, is deeply moved and arranges a secret meeting with Susan at the Ring. Meanwhile, Joshua Jopp arrives for a job as manager but is turned away because Henchard has already hired Donald Farfrae, sowing seeds of resentment.
Chapter 11
XI
Henchard meets his long-lost wife Susan at the Roman Amphitheatre in Casterbridge, where they discuss a plan to remarry and keep their past secret from Elizabeth-Jane. Henchard reveals he has stopped drinking and proposes that Susan and Elizabeth-Jane take a cottage as the widow Mrs. Newson and her daughter, allowing him to court and marry Susan without revealing their true history.
Chapter 12
XII
Henchard confides in Farfrae about his past, including the sale of his wife and his subsequent oath of sobriety, as well as his recent dilemma involving the return of Susan and his engagement to a woman in Jersey. With Farfrae's help, he writes a letter to the Jersey woman breaking off the engagement and enclosing a cheque. Henchard then reflects on his loneliness and the complications of his personal life.
Chapter 13
XIII
Henchard remarries Susan in a quiet ceremony, facing public scrutiny and his own internal resolve to make amends. The chapter details their reunion, the townspeople's gossip, and Henchard's determination to provide for Elizabeth-Jane while grappling with the social cost of his actions.
Chapter 14
XIV
Elizabeth-Jane enjoys a period of comfort and development after her mother's marriage to Henchard. She becomes more attractive and prudent, while Henchard's friendship with Farfrae deepens, marked by admiration and occasional domineering. A mysterious note lures both Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae to a granary, where they realize they have been tricked into meeting. They share an awkward but polite conversation, and Elizabeth-Jane observes the dynamics between Henchard and Farfrae, as well as Farfrae's curious interest in her mother.
Chapter 15
Chapter XV
Elizabeth-Jane's newfound beauty and fashionable attire attract attention in Casterbridge, including from Donald Farfrae, leading her to reflect on her own inadequacies. Meanwhile, Henchard's harsh treatment of the late-rising Abel Whittle escalates, with Henchard forcing Whittle to work half-naked as punishment. Farfrae intervenes, showing compassion and challenging Henchard's authority, which sows seeds of tension in their friendship.
Chapter 16
XVI
Henchard grows increasingly jealous of Farfrae's popularity and success. When a national celebration is announced, Farfrae organizes a modest entertainment, prompting Henchard to plan a grand, free festival on an elevated green. However, Farfrae's more sheltered and lively event draws the crowd, and Henchard hears public praise of Farfrae's business acumen. In a fit of pique, Henchard announces that Farfrae's time as his manager is ending, and Farfrae accepts.
Chapter 17
Chapter XVII
Elizabeth-Jane realizes she has breached social etiquette by dancing at the public festivities, causing her shame. She meets Farfrae, who has just been dismissed by Henchard, and they share a tender walk. Farfrae hints at feelings for her but holds back due to his circumstances. Henchard, now openly hostile, forbids Elizabeth-Jane from seeing Farfrae and writes to him demanding he stay away. Farfrae, though interested, complies for her sake. Meanwhile, Farfrae starts his own corn business, initially avoiding competition with Henchard but eventually forced into commercial combat, which the townspeople watch with interest.
Chapter 18
XVIII
Susan Henchard's health declines rapidly, and she dies. Before her death, she writes a sealed letter to Henchard to be opened on Elizabeth-Jane's wedding day, and confesses to Elizabeth-Jane that she orchestrated the note that brought her and Farfrae together. Henchard receives a letter from Lucetta, who asks for the return of her letters and a meeting, but she does not appear. After Susan's death, the townspeople discuss her funeral preparations and the theft of the burial pennies by Christopher Coney.
Chapter 19
XIX
Henchard reveals to Elizabeth-Jane that he is her real father, not Richard Newson, but later discovers from Susan's letter that Elizabeth-Jane is actually Newson's daughter. He struggles with the irony and bitterness of the situation, yet decides to maintain the pretense.
Chapter 20
Chapter XX
Elizabeth-Jane meets a mysterious, well-dressed lady at her mother's grave and is offered a position as housekeeper and companion. Meanwhile, Henchard's political fortunes decline as he is not elected alderman, and his resentment towards Elizabeth-Jane grows. He writes to Farfrae withdrawing his objection to the courtship, but Elizabeth-Jane remains despondent.
Chapter 21
Chapter XXI
Elizabeth-Jane decides to leave Henchard's house and move in with Lucetta Templeman at High-Place Hall. Despite Henchard's last-minute attempt to persuade her to stay, she departs. The chapter describes her fascination with the house and her meeting with Lucetta in the churchyard, where they finalize the arrangement.
Chapter 22
XXII
Henchard receives letters from Lucetta revealing she has moved to Casterbridge under the name Templeman after inheriting her aunt's fortune. She proposes renewing their relationship. Henchard, emotionally void after learning Elizabeth-Jane is not his daughter, becomes interested. He attempts to visit but is refused entry. Meanwhile, Lucetta, having arranged for Elizabeth-Jane to live with her, sends her on errands to clear the way for Henchard's visit, but when a visitor arrives, it is not Henchard.
Chapter 23
XXIII
Donald Farfrae, intending to call on Elizabeth-Jane, mistakenly visits Lucetta Templeman at High-Place Hall. The two engage in a lengthy and intimate conversation, during which Lucetta becomes intrigued by Farfrae's dual nature—commercial and romantic. Farfrae, in turn, is captivated by Lucetta. After he leaves, Lucetta rejects a visit from Henchard and decides to keep Elizabeth-Jane close, partly as a buffer against her former lover.
Chapter 24
Chapter XXIV
Elizabeth-Jane observes Lucetta's agitation after meeting Donald Farfrae. Lucetta confides a story about a woman torn between two men, hinting at her own past with Henchard and her growing feelings for Farfrae. Later, a new horse-drill arrives in Casterbridge, drawing a crowd. Lucetta and Elizabeth-Jane go to inspect it, encountering both Henchard and Farfrae. Henchard's resentment toward Farfrae is evident, while Farfrae explains the drill's revolutionary potential. Lucetta's attraction to Farfrae becomes clear, and Elizabeth-Jane feels sidelined.
Chapter 25
XXV
Farfrae visits Lucetta, ignoring Elizabeth-Jane, who feels invisible. Henchard also calls, awkwardly proposing marriage to Lucetta for the sake of her reputation, but she evades him. Lucetta, torn between the two men, resolves to love Farfrae, while Elizabeth-Jane stoically accepts her own neglect.
Chapter 26
XXVI
Henchard and Farfrae meet in the chestnut-walk, where Henchard asks Farfrae's opinion on a woman who refuses to marry him after a past intimacy, not revealing it is Lucetta. Later, at Lucetta's tea-table, Henchard's suspicions of rivalry grow as Farfrae arrives, and the two men awkwardly share a slice of bread-and-butter. Henchard, convinced Farfrae is his rival in love and business, hires Jopp to help him ruin Farfrae by underselling him. Meanwhile, the weather is poor, and Henchard, superstitious, seeks out a weather-prophet to guide his business strategy.
Chapter 27
XXVII
Henchard pressures Lucetta into agreeing to marry him, while Elizabeth-Jane witnesses the coercion. A wagon accident involving Henchard's and Farfrae's men leads to a public altercation, and Lucetta and Elizabeth-Jane side with Farfrae's man. Henchard observes Lucetta secretly meeting Farfrae at night. Meanwhile, Farfrae's successful grain trading contrasts with Henchard's losses, and Henchard grows superstitious and paranoid.
Chapter 28
XXVIII
Henchard presides as a magistrate at Petty Sessions, where an old woman charged with disorderly conduct reveals that he sold his wife at Weydon Fair twenty years ago. The revelation shocks the court and spreads through Casterbridge. Lucetta, hearing the story, becomes distraught and decides to leave for Port-Bredy, leaving Elizabeth-Jane in charge of High-Place Hall. Henchard later calls at the house, restless and impatient, but finds Lucetta absent.
Chapter 29
Chapter XXIX
Lucetta walks toward Port-Bredy and is met by Elizabeth-Jane. A bull charges them, and Henchard rescues Lucetta, leading to a tense conversation about their engagement and his financial troubles. Farfrae, meanwhile, prepares to move lodgings and avoids intruding on Henchard and Lucetta. Later, Lucetta, now married to Farfrae, is confronted by Henchard, who threatens to expose their past relationship.
Chapter 30
Chapter XXX: The Revelation of Lucetta's Marriage
Elizabeth-Jane learns that Lucetta has married Donald Farfrae, not Michael Henchard. Shocked and hurt by the deception and the breach of propriety, Elizabeth-Jane decides to leave Lucetta's house and find her own lodging. She moves into a room opposite Henchard's home, resolving to support herself through her netting skills and studies. Meanwhile, the town buzzes with gossip about the marriage and Farfrae's future plans.
Chapter 31
XXXI
The story of Henchard's sale of his wife at Weydon-Priors Fair spreads throughout Casterbridge, causing a rapid decline in his social and commercial standing. Already weakened by rash transactions, Henchard's reputation collapses, and he is forced into bankruptcy. At the creditors' meeting, he offers his watch and purse, but the creditors, moved by his honesty, allow him to keep them. Henchard sells the watch anyway and gives the money to a small creditor. His business is bought by Farfrae, and Henchard retreats to Jopp's cottage by the Priory Mill. Elizabeth-Jane tries to visit him but is refused.
Chapter 32
Chapter XXXII
Henchard, now fallen from his former status, encounters his old foreman Jopp who informs him that Farfrae has moved into Henchard's former house and bought his furniture. Farfrae later offers Henchard lodging and the return of some furniture, but Henchard refuses. Eventually, Henchard swallows his pride and works as a journeyman hay-trusser for Farfrae, living in a small cottage. He struggles with bitterness over losing his house, furniture, and Lucetta to his rival. As the twenty-first anniversary of his oath to abstain from alcohol approaches, he begins counting down the days, and Elizabeth-Jane hears that he has broken his sobriety.
Chapter 33
Chapter XXXIII
Henchard, now a lowly workman in Farfrae's yard, struggles with bitterness and jealousy as he watches Farfrae and Lucetta's happy marriage. He humiliates Lucetta with sarcastic remarks when she visits the yard, leading her to write him a note begging him to stop. Elizabeth-Jane, alarmed by Henchard's threats and a near-violent moment when he seems to consider pushing Farfrae from a high floor, resolves to warn Donald. Later, Henchard forces a church choir to sing a vengeful Psalm (109) that he applies to Farfrae, then demonstrates his suppressed strength by bending a poker. Elizabeth-Jane leads him home, and he mutters about keeping his oath for twenty-one years and hints at revenge.
Chapter 34
XXXIV
Elizabeth-Jane warns Farfrae that Henchard may try to harm him, but Farfrae initially dismisses her fears. Later, Farfrae learns from Lawyer Joyce that Henchard has spoken against him publicly, yet he still considers helping Henchard with a shop. A misunderstanding leads Henchard to believe Farfrae sabotaged the plan, deepening their enmity. Farfrae discusses Henchard's hatred with Lucetta, who urges him to leave Casterbridge. Alderman Vatt offers Farfrae the mayoralty. Henchard visits Farfrae, reads aloud old love letters from Lucetta without revealing her name, but stops short of exposing her.
Chapter 35
XXXV
Lucetta overhears Henchard reading her letters to Farfrae and is terrified that her secret will be revealed. She writes to Henchard, pleading for mercy, and arranges to meet him at the Ring. There, her pitiable appearance and the setting remind Henchard of his wronged wife, softening his resolve. He agrees to return the letters and keep her secret, though he warns that Farfrae will likely discover the truth eventually.
Chapter 36
Chapter XXXVI
Jopp approaches Lucetta to ask for a recommendation to Farfrae for a partnership, but she coldly refuses. Later, Henchard gives Jopp a sealed package of Lucetta's letters to deliver to her, but Jopp, resentful of Lucetta's haughtiness, opens the package and reads the letters aloud at the Peter's Finger inn, revealing Lucetta's secret past. The letters spark talk of a skimmity-ride, and a stranger arrives at the inn, crossing the stream to seek shelter.
Chapter 37
Chapter XXXVII
During a royal visit to Casterbridge, Henchard, now a journeyman, publicly attempts to present a flag to the Royal Personage but is forcibly removed by Farfrae, the Mayor. The incident is witnessed by Lucetta, who denies Henchard's past significance. Meanwhile, in Mixen Lane, a plot for a skimmington ride against Farfrae and Lucetta is being discussed and advanced by Jopp and others.
Chapter 38
Chapter XXXVIII
Henchard, humiliated by Farfrae's public shoving and Lucetta's denial of his past assistance, lures Farfrae to the granary loft for a wrestling match with one arm tied. He nearly throws Farfrae out the door to his death but relents, overcome by remorse and memories of their former friendship. He then seeks Farfrae's forgiveness but finds he has already left Casterbridge.
Chapter 39
Chapter XXXIX
Farfrae, recovering from his struggle with Henchard, sets out on a journey after receiving an anonymous letter. Meanwhile, a skimmington ride procession parades effigies of Lucetta and Henchard through the streets, causing Lucetta to suffer an epileptic seizure. Elizabeth-Jane tries to help, but Lucetta's condition worsens. The authorities investigate the disturbance but find no clear evidence.
Chapter 40
Chapter XL
Henchard, consumed by guilt and despair, tries to warn Farfrae that Lucetta is gravely ill, but Farfrae distrusts him and delays his return. The skimmington ride has caused Lucetta's collapse; she dies before dawn. Henchard, shunned and isolated, finds his only comfort in Elizabeth-Jane's affection.
Chapter 41
XLI
Henchard, consumed by despair and contemplating suicide at Ten Hatches, is stopped by a vision of his own drowned body. He returns home to find Elizabeth-Jane waiting for him, and they share a tender moment. Later, Richard Newson arrives, and Henchard deceitfully tells him that Elizabeth-Jane is dead to keep her for himself. Newson leaves, and Henchard wrestles with guilt and fear of discovery.
Chapter 42
Chapter XLII
Henchard observes Farfrae's growing interest in Elizabeth-Jane and struggles with jealousy and possessiveness. He witnesses their innocent meetings and eventually sees Farfrae kiss her, confirming his fears of losing her. Despite his internal turmoil, he resolves not to interfere, though dark thoughts tempt him to reveal Elizabeth-Jane's true parentage to Farfrae. Meanwhile, Elizabeth-Jane enjoys her independence, taking long walks and buying books, while Henchard's small seed shop thrives.
Chapter 43
XLIII
Henchard leaves Casterbridge in secret, reverting to his working-class roots, after revealing to Elizabeth-Jane that he is not her biological father and giving his blessing to her marriage with Farfrae. Elizabeth-Jane meets Richard Newson, her true father, at Farfrae's house, and the three plan the wedding.
Chapter 44
XLIV
Henchard, after parting from Elizabeth-Jane, wanders eastward in despair, eventually reaching Weydon Priors where he reflects on the fateful fair where he sold his wife. He struggles with his love for Elizabeth-Jane and his guilt, and despite intending to leave Casterbridge forever, he is drawn back. He arrives in Casterbridge on the day of Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae's wedding, but hesitates to enter the celebration, eventually entering through the kitchen and waiting in a back-parlour.
Chapter 45
XLV
Elizabeth-Jane and Donald Farfrae search for the missing Henchard, tracing his path across Egdon Heath but ultimately failing to find him. Later, Elizabeth-Jane discovers a birdcage left by Henchard as a wedding gift, which softens her heart toward him. She resolves to find him and make peace, but the search proves difficult. The chapter concludes with Elizabeth-Jane reflecting on her newfound happiness and the persistence of the unforeseen.
