The Mayor of Casterbridge · Chapter
XXXI explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Fall
Henchard's rapid descent from mayor and prosperous merchant to bankrupt outcast illustrates the theme of pride preceding a fall.
Social Class and Reputation
The exposure of Henchard's past act destroys his social standing, and his name is literally painted over by Farfrae's.
Deception and Truth
The truth about Henchard's youthful crime, long buried, resurfaces and undoes him, while his honest dealings in bankruptcy earn him a measure of respect.
Characters to notice
- Michael Henchard
Henchard's past is exposed, leading to his social and financial ruin; he offers his possessions to creditors and later sells his watch to help a small creditor.
- Elizabeth-Jane Newson
Elizabeth-Jane learns of Henchard's bankruptcy, tries to visit him, and is refused; she observes Farfrae's name replacing Henchard's on the business.
- Donald Farfrae
Farfrae buys Henchard's business, and his name replaces Henchard's on the gateway.
- Abel Whittle
Abel Whittle informs Elizabeth-Jane that Farfrae is now master and contrasts the new management's style with Henchard's.
- Joshua Jopp
Jopp is the householder of the cottage where Henchard now lives.
Key passages
“Small as the police-court incident had been in itself, it formed the edge or turn in the incline of Henchard’s fortunes. On that day—almost at that minute—he passed the ridge of prosperity and honour, and began to descend rapidly on the other side.”
Though the court incident was minor, it marked the tipping point of Henchard's fortunes; from that moment, he fell from the peak of prosperity and honor into a rapid decline.
This passage captures the turning point in Henchard's life, emphasizing the suddenness of his fall.
“A smear of decisive lead-coloured paint had been laid on to obliterate Henchard’s name, though its letters dimly loomed through like ships in a fog. Over these, in fresh white, spread the name of Farfrae.”
Henchard's name was painted over with lead-colored paint, but the old letters still faintly showed through, while Farfrae's name was written in fresh white above.
This visual metaphor symbolizes the erasure of Henchard's legacy and the rise of Farfrae.