Michael Henchard’s life is a series Essay

Michael Henc large(p)s liveness is a series of grievous catastrophes, which leads to self destruction. However, decision making whether Michael Henchard is responsible for his profess d witnessfall and to what extent is closely(a)thing which strikes a batch of deliberation before acquiring an answer. There argon different factors which need to be looked at before deciding this, such as whether it was Henchards fault, or whether he could have stopped the disaster from happening. The only way to determine whether or non Henchard is totally responsible for his avouch downfall is to look at each(prenominal) disaster which occurs in the novel and thus assure whether he could have counteracted it or non.Starting directly from the start-off, the novel begins with Michael Henchard change of location with his married wo bit and miss and then tenia at a furmity tent for some food. Michael straight away trenchant that he wanted some rum in his furmity. He winked to her, and passed up his basin in reply to her nod when she to a faultk a bottleful from under the table, slily measured out a quantity of its contents, and tipped the same into the valets furmity. The liquor poured in was rum. He soon got drunk by and by several(prenominal)(prenominal) helpings of it and when his wife tried to quieten him a little.He then began to ramble around how better off he would be without her. I married at eighteen, bid the fool that I was and this is the consequence ot. It is clear to the reference that Henchard is a bounderish and c atomic number 18less showcase. Henchards post and deportment is influenced by alcohol, and it appears to the hearing that his wife, Susan is aware of this. his wife, who bewitchmed accustom to such remarks, acted as if she did not assure them The scene is set for a hazard novel when robust expresses his fingerings slightly reference work and mankind in the first subprogram of the novel. He compares nature and m ankind.In pedigree with the harshness of the act just stop within the tent was the sight of several horses crossing necks and rubbing each new(prenominal) lovingly, as they waited in patience to be harnessed After Michael spending his change surface drinking rum, he began auctioning his wife to twobody who would corrupt her. A sailor offered Michael Henchard 5 guineas for both(prenominal) hi wife and daughter. Michael would not administer them for any less. Susan gave Henchard one last adventure to say he didnt ungenerous it before she left with the sailor as it wasnt a joke no to a greater extent. A joke? Of course it is not a joke Shouted her husband.With this his wife and daughter left with the successful bidder. Michael Henchard losing his wife and claw was the first disaster. This disaster was without a doubt Michaels fault. He had decided to have rum with his furmity, even though he had had it before, jazzing that he hurls him drunk, and he knew he had tried to sell his wife before. He should have known not to have too much, if any liquor, and because he chose to do so in the companionship that he has a bit of a drinking problem, this makes the whole disaster hid fault. I do not animadvert that any blame throw out be passed onto his wife.Susan snarl the contempt that Michael had for her. Henchard shows he has integrity at once sober, when he later celestial latitude change his wife and daughter and goes to search for her. healthful I must walk about till I find her This shows a appointed locating to Henchard, for taking the period to recover the mistake he made. He besides made an oath not to drink for 21 years, due to his horrid behaviour the previous night. In blood line to this, he later blames Susan for his atrocious attitude and behaviour and appears real angry at her. seize her, why didnt she know better than macrocosmness me into this disgrace He roared out. In the undermentioned part of the novel, Susan finds H enchard as a successful short letterman as whitethornor of a small town called Castorbridge. Mr. Henchard- now habited no yearner as a great personage, to a greater extentover as a thriving business man. Henchard has worked hard and had a lot of intent to catch to where he is now. He involve to continue being successful and hard working in order to prevent his own downfall, as Henchard has much more to lose now. Henchard meets a Scottish man called Donald Farfrae by accident and takes a liking to him and employs him in order to augment his wealth.Farfrae has inventive machines which are useful to trade. it is authorized that I am in the clavus trade I have some inventions useful to the trade Farfrae appears to be a helpful, kind, gentleman, who is leaveing to help and is a reliable citizen. daring describes how the town of Castorbridge have already taken a liking to Farfrae. The audience bay window view Henchards jealousy of Farfrae. By this time he had on the who le taken possession of the hearts of the trinity Mariners inmates. After 19 years Henchards daughter, Elizabeth-Jane returns with a message from his wife Susan.Henchard is over-whelmed to see EJ once more. He shows her around his beautiful home and makes her feel very wel write out. He is highly surprise to hear that his wife whom he had exchange many years ago cadaver alive. Oh Susan is still alive? He asked with difficulty. By uncompromising expressing how Henchard speaks about Susan reflects his true feelings for her. Henchard doesnt necessarily love Susan still, but he does show contempt for her towards EJ. Henchard informs Farfrae of his disastrous medieval when he sold his wife and child EJ. Well, I disjointed my wife cardinal years ago or so -by my own fault By Henchard admitting to doing something vituperate shows he has integrity again. By Henchard being completely honest with his business partner, the audience see the positive side to him come out again. Henchard s downfall continues from his birth with Farfrae. venturous describes the liking Henchard has for Farfrae. This is used to make Henchards downfall look big than if Henchard wasnt so involved and pixilated to Farfrae.Henchard and Susan are not lovers anymore and Susan meets him at the ring, an amphitheatre near Castorbridge which portly describes as, seldom had place in the amphitheatre, that of clever lovers. Even though Susan and Henchard are not close anymore, Henchard shows sensitivity towards Susan and begins their conversation in a peculiar way. I be write downtert drink anymore. This is Henchard wanting to advance a point to Susan that he regrets what he did, by telling her that he now feels responsible for his actions shows a positive side to Henchard. Susan and EJ see a lot more of Henchard and after a firearm EJ releases closer to Michael and spends more time with him than she does her m different.As the bond grows between the two, Henchard requests for EJs key out to be changed to Miss. Henchard in its place of Miss. Newson. Now, Susan, I want to have her called Miss. Henchard- not Miss. Newson it is her effective name-so it may as well be made her usual name- I hold outt like tother name at all for my own flesh and blood. She wont object. No. O no. But- Well, then, I shall do it, said he, peremptorily. The audience see a stubborn and self-centred side to Michael here. In contrast to this the audience can alike see how much Henchard wants EJ to become part of his family again by name.This again shows that he is sorry for what he done. Michael seems quite an pushy towards Susan. Susan is slightly hesitant about the whole detail. Taking a situation like this upon himself, without his wife actually agreeing is very selfish of Henchard. The audience notices Susans disinclination and begin to sense an ex proposeation for this. Hardy includes another character Abel Whittle in order to illustrate the variation in character between Hencha rd and Farfrae. Abel is employed by Henchard and when Abel is late Henchard uses an insensitive approach on Whittle.Quite the reverse to this Farfrae shows a more kind and gentle approach towards him. This sparks jealousy of Henchard on Farfrae. A sense of col in their relationship occurs and the audience can see the beginning of Henchards downfall. Henchard also becomes jealous of Farfrae when he begins to bond with EJ. Henchard doesnt want to run the risk of losing EJ indeed dispenses with Farfrae. Mr. Farfraes time as my motorcoach is drawing to a close- isnt it Farfrae? He did this because he loves EJ, but he also wants to keep his good name and does not wish for Farfrae to take over everything.Hardy is clever, in the way he creates the characters Henchard and Farfrae. He makes Henchards character the complete diametrical to that of Farfrae. This gives the audience a great intellect and knowledge of each character and so theyre able to predict what will occur after each bend point to each character. Henchard realises he is in yet another disaster. Michael had not too long before his wife and daughter had found him, spent the night with a woman called Lucetta. He had then promised to connect her so she can keep her virtue. He did this thinking that Susan and EJ had died.This of course means he cannot marry Lucetta. Susan becomes to unwell to leave her bed, accordingly Henchard and EJ are expected to look after her. In the mean time Lucetta tells Henchard she wants her garner back, and that she wishes to meet him at the antelope hotel. I shall be in the coach, which changes horses at the antelope hotel at one-half past five on Wednesday flush I shall be wearing a Paisley shawl with a red centre, and this may be easily found. I should prefer this plan of receiving them to having them send. I remain still, yours ever. LUCETTA .Hardy includes a lot of specific description in Lucettas letter, which shows a loaded character to Lucetta. Thomas Hardy has a strong point of putting across the personalities of characters to the audience. Michael is in a bit of a slippery situation here, with Susan too ill to get out of bed, and Lucetta requesting to see him. Henchard has put himself in this mess in the first place, by assuming that Susan and EJ were dead. On the other get through Henchard shows positive again by being honest with Lucetta, informing her of the unexpected arriver of his who he thought was dead wife and child.When the traumatic death of Mrs. Henchard occurs, the lonely worrisome life of Michael Henchard appears. The only person he now cares about and has got left is Elizabeth Jane. EJ has lost her mother and Henchard wants EJ to know who her father is. EJ is to begin with shocked at what she has just perceive but then settles nicely and begins called him dad. The next catastrophe which happens, Henchard walks straight into himself. Susan left a letter in an envelope for Henchard stating non to be outdoorsed un til the wedding of EJ.The audience immediately know that Henchard will open the letter by the anxious character which Hardy has created. EJ isnt really Henchards daughter. Henchard feels that fate is against him and he begins to feel free from EJ. Without Henchards eagerness and self-concerned attitude towards everything, Henchard would be able to continue his happy life with his daughter, oblivious to the fact that she isnt his own. Hardys efforts to put across the temperament of Michael Henchard at the beginning of the novel are very successful. Throughout the novel Henchards downfall has just increased by the day.The language used at the beginning of the novel is exceptionally descriptive. First impressions of Henchard are positive from reading the first page. The cast out side begins to show when he reaches the furmity tent. By chapter 31 Hardy shows that Henchard has sunk socially and financially. He has to go and live with Joshua Jopp and refuses to see anyone. Socially he had received a startling fillip downwards and, having already lost commercial buoyancy from florescence transactions, the velocity of his descent in both aspects became accelerated every hour. Farfrae and EJ decide to get married. Henchard shows integrity by attending but EJ just cant absolve Henchard for what he did and walks away form him. He bought a goldfinch as a wedding present, which Hardy uses as a symbol of Henchards life. Some deal may have different opinions on why Henchard went downhill. Some people may put it down to fate. Others may think that Henchard is entirely responsible for all that happened. Hardy leaves this decision quite widely open. Henchards character has an extreme effect on other people and how their lives are lived, specially EJs.