# Chapter XVII explained — The Mayor of Casterbridge

> Chapter companion for The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Reputation

Elizabeth-Jane's distress over dancing in a mixed throng highlights the rigid class expectations and her fear of disgrace.

### Pride and Fall

Henchard's pride leads him to dismiss Farfrae and engage in a destructive commercial war, foreshadowing his eventual downfall.

### Love and Marriage

The budding but stifled romance between Farfrae and Elizabeth-Jane is thwarted by Henchard's opposition and social constraints.

## Character check-ins

### Elizabeth-Jane Newson

Feels shame for dancing at the pavilion, realizing her social misstep; walks with Farfrae and is conflicted about her feelings; promises Henchard to avoid Farfrae.

### Michael Henchard

Dismisses Farfrae, forbids Elizabeth-Jane from seeing him, writes a stern letter, and begins a bitter commercial rivalry with Farfrae.

### Donald Farfrae

Walks with Elizabeth-Jane after his dismissal, hints at romantic interest but restrains himself; receives Henchard's letter and stifles his attachment; starts his own business and eventually competes with Henchard.

### Susan Henchard

Mentions Farfrae's movements at breakfast, causing tension; less concerned with convention than Elizabeth-Jane.

## Key lines

> Elizabeth-Jane had perceived from Henchard’s manner that in assenting to dance she had made a mistake of some kind.

Elizabeth-Jane realized from Henchard's reaction that agreeing to dance was a social error.

_Highlights her growing awareness of class expectations._

> Character is Fate, said Novalis, and Farfrae’s character was just the reverse of Henchard’s.

The narrator invokes Novalis to contrast Farfrae's steady nature with Henchard's turbulent one, suggesting destiny is shaped by character.

_Foreshadows the divergent paths of the two men._

> Thus the incipient attachment was stifled down.

The budding romantic feelings between Farfrae and Elizabeth-Jane were suppressed.

_Shows how external pressures quash personal desires._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters