The Mayor of Casterbridge · Chapter
Chapter XXXIII explained
Henchard, now a lowly workman in Farfrae's yard, struggles with bitterness and jealousy as he watches Farfrae and Lucetta's happy marriage.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Fall
Henchard's fall from mayor to journeyman is starkly contrasted with Farfrae's rise; his bitter sarcasm and vengeful actions stem from wounded pride and the humiliation of his reduced status.
Deception and Truth
Henchard conceals his true feelings behind a mask of stolidity, while Lucetta's note reveals her fear and the hidden tensions between them; Elizabeth-Jane's silent observation uncovers the dangerous truth of Henchard's intentions.
Isolation and Connection
Henchard's isolation deepens as he loses his former social standing and relationships; Elizabeth-Jane's attempts to connect with him and protect Farfrae highlight the fragile bonds between characters.
Characters to notice
- Michael Henchard
Now a journeyman hay-trusser in Farfrae's yard, Henchard is consumed by bitterness, sarcastically humiliates Lucetta, nearly pushes Farfrae from a high floor, forces a choir to sing a vengeful Psalm, and bends a poker in a show of suppressed strength.
- Elizabeth-Jane Newson
Worried about Henchard's threats, she observes his behavior, carries tea to him, witnesses his near-violent gesture toward Farfrae, and later leads him home from the choir scene, feeling it her duty to caution Farfrae.
- Donald Farfrae
Now married to Lucetta and a successful businessman, Farfrae remains considerate toward Henchard but is unaware of the tension; he is the object of Henchard's vengeful thoughts and the target of the Psalm.
- Lucetta Templeman
Now Farfrae's wife, she is humiliated by Henchard's sarcasm when she visits the yard, writes him a note begging him to stop, and thereafter avoids the area to prevent further encounters.
- Abel Whittle
Mentioned as a workman in the yard whose pitying eyes annoy Henchard; he is one of the laborers who touch their hats to Lucetta.
Key passages
“I am a man to my word. I have kept my oath for twenty-one years; and now I can drink with a good conscience.”
Henchard declares that he has honored his promise to abstain from alcohol for 21 years, and now feels free to drink again.
This marks the end of Henchard's long oath and signals his descent into drinking and bitterness.
“If I don’t do for him—well, I am a fearful practical joker when I choose! He has taken away everything from me, and by heavens, if I meet him I won’t answer for my deeds!”
Henchard threatens to harm Farfrae, calling himself a dangerous practical joker, and blames Farfrae for his losses.
This threat reveals Henchard's violent intentions and foreshadows potential harm to Farfrae.
“Poor fool! To know no better than commit herself in writing like this! Why, if I were to show that to her dear husband—pooh!”
Henchard scoffs at Lucetta for writing him a note, implying he could use it to damage her marriage.
Henchard's reaction shows his manipulative side and the power he still holds over Lucetta.
