Literary Analysis Essay - The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

                                  A Clash of Perspectives

            Representing large concepts with the incorporation of minute details and occurrences demonstrates an effective method of giving a piece of literature a deeper meaning. In his book, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy relies upon a plethora of symbolic events to convey critical aspects of a narrative story, such as the atmosphere of the setting to his audience. Events like the wagon collision, bull encounter, and introduction of the seed driller to Casterbridge, all have a symbolic, metaphorical meaning aside from the blatantly obvious. The three events are physical embodiments of conflicts and complications the main characters experience or have experienced.
            At the market place located in the center of Casterbridge, farmers and other agricultural businessmen have gathered to purchase and sell their crops. Donald Farfrae, a respected merchant who previously worked for Michael Henchard, the Mayor of Casterbridge, currently has a relationship with the mayor that is best described as strained. During that afternoon, Donald's wagon collides with Henchard's causing a bitter argument. Aside from the obvious situation, the crash is symbolic of the on-going struggle between the two men. Differentiation among the agricultural views sparked the turmoil and continues to drive it further; Henchard's perspectives are out dated and ineffective, while Donald's are contemporary and effective, which has introduced him to the respect of his peers, striking jealousy into Henchard. Feeling threatened by Donald, Henchard only contributes to the bad situation.
            Donald's character and contribution to Casterbridge can all be summed up into a single object in a symbolic sense: the brand new seed driller sitting in the town square. The tractor is an innovative and more efficient piece of machinery than anything else used previously in Casterbridge. It is representative of Donald's character because like the tractor, he is modern and efficient. Even the mere presence of the tractor has symbolic meanings. One meaning being that the tractor is a symbol of the changes and improvements Donald has attributed to farming strategies in Casterbridge. The other is a display of the respect and authority he has earned since his arrival in Casterbridge, because the tractor was purchased under his recommendation. The throng of farmers congregated around the machine is the last symbol derived from the situation; the farmers admiration is reflective of Donald's popularity.
            A third prominent symbol is Lucetta and Elizabeth-Jane's encounter with the roaming bull. On the day of the cattle auction in Casterbridge, an enormous bull had freed itself of its cage and spotter Lucetta and Elizabeth-Jane walking on the road. At first the two ladies showed no regard for the creature; however that quickly transitioned into concern once it began to pursue them in a barn. The bull in this situation is seen as a menacing and sinister animal, which compounds with the symbolic intention of the attack. Haunted by a past love affair with Henchard. Lucetta has put great effort into refraining from the Mayor. The attack of the bull is symbolic of her history with Henchard attempting to destroy her current love with Donald Farfrae. Henchard bursts into the scene, subdues the bull, and rescues both of the women, which demonstrates he possesses a good character despite his demotion from Mayor and losing his eminence as a businessman.
            Several more symbols other than these few are peppered throughout the story, which increases the reader's interest as well as providing them with deeper levels of meaning. Without the symbols, Hardy's full intentions could not be recognized; taking away significant concepts.