Consider carefully which of Bathsheba Essay

TASK: Consider carefully which of Bathsheba’s three suitors, Boldwood, Troy or Oak possessed the qualities most likely to make Bathsheba a good husband. In the book, ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ by Thomas Hardy, there are three suitors for the novels protagonist, Bathsheba Everdene. Unfortunately because she is a very capricious lady, one suitor is murdered by another, who was consequently sentenced to life imprisonment. This essay will discuss which suitor would have been the most compatible to Bathsheba in marriage. In the novel, Bathsheba is the second character we are introduced to, and Thomas Hardy portrays her as a very beautiful but penniless woman. She is the protagonist of the novel, and her interaction with her various suitors propels the plot. As the story unfolds, her character is developed, but it is very clear in the beginning she is a very vain woman. This is firstly shown when Gabriel sees her sitting on top of a carriage full of furniture. It is obvious her beauty entrapped him and he, ‘followed the vehicle to the turnpike gate some way beyond the bottom of the hill, where the object of his contemplation now halted for the payment of the toll. ‘ Bathsheba’s vanity was evident where she refused to pay the turnpike keeper the extra two pence he wanted. Subsequently, Gabriel paid it and she was neither pleased nor dismissive because she had lost her point, she was just a little disgruntled. In addition to this, shortly after she is seen looking into her mirror, admiring herself. Further reference to Bathsheba’s vanity is later in the story when she has just inherited the farm and she throws all of her existing clothes away because she feels she has moved up a class, and her old ones were inferior. The last evidence of her vanity occurred after she had encountered Troy for the first time, when she was in front of her dressing table mirror and she repeated a sentence he had whispered to her, ‘Hello gorgeous’. Despite this flaw in her character, she showed independence in both financial and spirited terms. She was able to run the farm she had inherited by herself, and after finding her bailiff stealing grain, she fired him and took on that job as well. Furthermore, having moved up a social class didn’t seem to effect this self-reliance as she still travelled to Bath on her own not asking for a chauffeur to ride the cart for her, as most rich people would have because of their status. She wasn’t accompanied by anyone when she went out horse riding either. This shows both independence and that she likes to be alone sometimes, not in the eye of her employees. There are many other of her characteristics which are described in the novel, including bravery which is highlighted on three occasions: in the beginning of the novel where she saves Gabriel from gas poisoning in his hut; when she helps Gabriel to secure the hayricks in the storm and the way she dealt with the numerous disasters on her farm. One of those disasters was bought on by her impetuousness as she fired Gabriel because he rebukes her, saying ‘I cannot allow any man to – to criticize my private conduct!†¦ Nor will I for a minute. So you’ll leave the farm at the end of the week! ‘ From this it is obvious she is intolerant towards gossip and people’s views. Unfortunately, shortly after Oak leaves, a disaster happens, whereby the sheep all get a disease, which only Oak knows how to treat. Subsequently she has to swallow her pride to save her sheep. A further example of her impetuous character was a little later on in the novel, when she visited Bath and married Troy so that his attentions would only be focused on her, and not any other women. This also shows immaturity in her, not just the rash decision of marriage, but also the quick dismissal of Oak because she couldn’t take criticism. Contrary to this though, when Fanny went missing, she was responsible enough to send out a search party, so despite being volatile and distant from her workforce, she was still interested in their well being, even though she was an x-employee. No later than Troy goes missing, she turns to Boldwood who she had previously sent a valentine to, admittedly quite reluctantly, but she does, and this highlights the capriciousness and flirtatious side of her character. This isn’t a good thing for a relationship, especially in a vain woman like Bathsheba, who would be easily convinced to see other men, so a compatible partner for her would have to be stern with her, but in a loving manner. Therefore, the best suitor for Bathsheba needs to be able to cope with the characteristics I have highlighted above, being similar to some of her characteristics, and the opposite to others. The best person for her would be a handsome and romantic farmer who was financially secure. Mr Boldwood is the wealthiest of the three suitors whom Bathsheba could have chosen, owning a neighbouring farm. As his name suggests, he is quite a wooden man. By this I mean he doesn’t reveal his true emotions until he is sent the valentines letter on a whim when he suddenly develops feelings for her. From this point onwards, he loses his self-control and pursues her with a single-minded passion to make her his wife. Unfortunately, because his love becomes so all-compassing and single mindedness, it leads him to neglect his farm losing all of his crop one stormy night. He is also quite a personal and reserved man who, despite many women finding him attractive, lives a quiet life on his neighbouring farm. His high status in society is indicated on numerous occasions, but the most obvious occurrence was when Bathsheba invited Mr Boldwood over to join in the celebratory dinner after the successful harvest. At first Gabriel Oak, Bathsheba’s main shepherd was sitting at the head of the table, but when Mr Boldwood appeared a little later, Gabriel was asked to move from the head of the table so Mr Boldwood could be seated. It is obvious from the moment Mr Boldwood starts to develop feelings for Bathsheba that he is a caring man, always checking up on her, but it is later on in the story when Mr Boldwood’s chivalrous side is shown to its full extent. Bathsheba had been seeing Troy for a little while, and they were having relations outside of marriage, which for the novels time was not allowed. Therefore Mr Boldwood offered Troy money to marry her, in order for her name to be respected. This was obviously a very hard act to come to do, especially as he loved her so dearly. When Troy went missing, believed drowned, Bathsheba was in mourning for a little while, but because no body was found, she had to wait seven years before she could marry again. Mr Boldwood made his feelings clear to her again a little later, and she agreed upon marriage if Troy didn’t reappear after seven years had passed. This showed a very patient side of Boldwood, different to the very persistent side of him seen earlier in the book. Unfortunately, after seven years had passed, on the night Bathsheba had promised to accept Boldwood’s proposal, Troy burst into the party, insisting on regaining his half of her farm, which came with the marriage. At first Boldwood was deeply upset, but knew there was nothing he could do about it and accepted it, but Bathsheba refused to go at first, and Troy rough handled her. Boldwood, did not like, or accept this, especially because he was so protective and obsessed with her. A mixture of jealousy and over protectiveness then took hold of him, and he shot Troy, killing him almost instantly. Boldwood was then sentenced to death, but because of his high status, because he was a well-respected gentleman and finally because it was argued he was mentally unstable, the sentence was changed to life imprisonment. After the sentence was passed, his obsession with Bathsheba was revealed to its full extent, as items of clothing and jewellery were all found in Boldwood’s house, all gift wrapped and with a label saying ‘Bathsheba Boldwood’. Sergeant Troy is the second of Bathsheba’s possible suitors. Troy is the novels antagonist, and is the less responsible male equivalent of Bathsheba, and his description is the complete opposite of Gabriel Oak’s. His irresponsibility is shown on the night of the ‘after harvest celebratory meal’ when he decides to get drunk, knowing there is a storm which could destroy all the hayricks which they had just harvested. Unfortunately, because he was devastatingly attractive, had a dashing manner, continually flattered Bathsheba and was skilled in swordsmanship, she fell for him. This was mainly because of her vanity; he said what she wanted to hear. And furthermore, it was his vanity which made him say such things as, ‘Thank you for the sight of such a beautiful face’ and ‘Ah, beauty; good-bye! ‘ This first impression of Troy gives him the appearance of having some strength of character, such as helpfulness when he offers to help in the haymaking when he bumps into Bathsheba one night. Unfortunately, this strength in his character is quickly shown to be limited, for example, he initially gave the impression of being frank, letting his thoughts be heard, but this is quickly offset by his lies. Troy lied on numerous occasions, such as when Bathsheba saw a lock of golden hair in Troy’s pocket watch, when he said he went to church regularly through the back door, which when investigated by Gabriel was found to have not been opened for a very long time and thirdly when he said he didn’t know the tramp on the road. It was in fact Fanny Robin who he was engaged to, but neglected after they miscommunicated about which church they were due to have their marriage in. She was actually Troy’s true love and the lock of hair in his pocket watch belonged to her. Another act, which showed Troy’s character to be limited, was the way he acted and cruelly abused her after they were married. This really shows that Troy was quite capricious in a way because no later than Troy has left Fanny, he seduces Bathsheba. Troy was an unstable character, mainly because when his parents died when he was only small, he was sent off to be a soldier. This environment, which he grew up in, therefore influenced his character, and he became a mercenary, working only because he wanted to spend money at the races. Unfortunately, not being trustful, he left Fanny gambling debts, and he used a lot of Bathsheba’s money up as well. Another quality of Troy’s was his cunningness and deviousness. This is shown near the end when, after seven years of being missing, presumed dead, he returns, not for Bathsheba, but for the money which he was entitled to, namely half Bathsheba’s assets (farm and contents) which came with getting married. That was what triggered Boldwood to kill Troy in the end, the way he was only interested money, and the way he mishandled her. The third and final suitor was Gabriel Oak. He was in fact the first of the three men whom Bathsheba met in the novel when he generously paid the two pence toll for her because she felt she had already paid enough. The novel starts describing Gabriel; ‘When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth spread till they were within an unimportant distance of his ears†¦ ‘ He isn’t the best looking of men, and is only a shepherd, but has a very strong, good character, which is developed throughout the novel. Being a shepherd, he has exceptional skill with animals, and is hardworking. He knows the trade so well that he can tell when it is going to be bad whether and acts accordingly. An example of this was when the storm came after the hayricks had been harvested and, knowing a storm was on its way, Oak tried to alert the others for help, but after realising they weren’t interested, he started tying them down on his own. This shows determination, responsibility and reliability. Whenever Bathsheba needed help, he would be there, even after he had been dismissed for criticizing her judgement, he forgave her and came back to save the sheep from a deadly disease. Another example of his responsibility was when Joseph Poorgrass stopped off at the Buck’s Head Inn for a drink, rather than taking Fanny’s coffin to the church. It was Gabriel who went to the inn and too the coffin to the church, and then on to Bathsheba’s house because Joseph had delayed them so much. When he saw Fanny’s coffin, he was generous in spirit, because he rubbed off ‘and baby’ after Fanny’s name because he wanted to spare Bathsheba’s feelings, especially as it was Troy’s baby. The reason Bathsheba said that she would not marry him when he asked was because he wasn’t that rich and he was unromantic, which is a characteristic in Oak which Bathsheba would have wanted from her husband. Shortly after, he unluckily lost all of his sheep, but instead of reverting to alcohol, or committing suicide, he put it behind him, paid off his debts with what he had left, and went to the market to look for a job. While this is all occurring, he is still steadfast, wanting to marry Bathsheba, and he is loyal, not going after any other women. Instead he just concentrates on his work, and is as hardworking as ever, in a sense he is quite boring because he doesn’t ease up on his work. Even when she marries Troy, he is thoughtful, sparing her feelings, as she is not aware of all the truth. His loyalty, whether standing up for Bathsheba when the workers gossip, or just by being there for her, is repaid later when Bathsheba finally gives him the job of Bailiff. It is mainly because of his organised nature, and because he has a very good knowledge of the farm. In conclusion, I have to answer the original question, ‘Consider carefully which of Bathsheba’s three suitors, Boldwood, Troy or Oak possessed the qualities most likely to make Bathsheba a good husband. ‘ After analysing each of their characters, I feel she would really be best off with a person who had parts of each of the suitors: Boldwood’s money and devotion, Troy’s handsome appearance and Gabriel’s knowledge of farming. Unfortunately this is impossible, therefore I have chosen Gabriel Oak as whom I feel would be the best suitor for Bathsheba Everdene. I think that despite Boldwood saying that she would never have to work again, she is a very independent woman, and I’m not sure she would appreciate that. Troy is like the male equivalent of Bathsheba, and I don’t think that she would last that long with him, as problems would arise. Furthermore, he mishandles her, and I think their marriage would be over very quickly. Gabriel is quite different to Bathsheba, and I think that he would be devoted to her, especially after analysing his character, but wouldn’t smother her, still giving her her independence. Furthermore, his knowledge of farming would be helpful on the farm. Marriages last if the couple can communicate, and come to a conclusion about situations, and I feel Boldwood would just do whatever she wanted to do, Troy would only do what he wanted to do, but Oak would do whatever was best and fair. Gabriel’s character is opposite to Bathsheba’s, but in this case I think the marriage would work really well.