Far from the madding crowd by Thomas Hardy

Far from the madding crowd

Far from the madding crowd is Thomas Hardy's fourth novel and his first major literary success. It is his first great achievement as a novelist. It originally appeared anonymously as a monthly serial in 'Cornhill Magazine' where it gained a wide readership. The novel is often considered to be The masterpiece by him. Like his other novel, 'Far from the madding crowd' introduces the pastoral world, the world of farmers and shepherds. This novel was published in 1879. It is the first novel to be set in Hardy's fictional country of 'Wessex' in rural southwest England.

Title

This is a little longer title by Hardy 'Far from the madding crowd' but it is a symbolic title. Hardy believes that the pastoral world is pure, peaceful and governed by nature and therefore away from evils of city life. In chapter number 22 he writes;

"God was probably present in the country and the devil had gone with the world to the town"

However, some critics do not agree with this concept of the title. They argue that even the world presented here is not free from crime or abuse. The source of this title can be found in Thomas Gray's famous poem elegy written in country churchyard Hardy choose the title from this poem the line;

"Far from the madding crowd ignoble strife"

Theme

This novel deals in themes of love, honor, and betrayal against a backdrop of the seemingly idyllic but often harsh realities of a farming community in Victorian England. It describes the farmer Bathsheba Everdene her life and relationship especially with her lonely neighbor William Boldwood, the faithful shepherd Gabriel oak and the thriftless soldier Sergeant Troy. The novel also shows the influence of nature on human life, particularly on the agricultural world.

Plot construction

By profession, Hardy was an Architecture and therefor his plot are well kitt. "Far from the madding crowd" has a powerful plot construction. The novel designs into 57 chapters and each chapter is a given chapterate title.

For example

Chapter number 34 "Home again"

Most of the chapters developed the story while in some chapters, the story is very slow, but Hardy describes the lifestyle, the culture of the rustic world.

Locale

Hardy is commented to be unvictorian novelist in the Victorian era mainly because the local, the place where his stories develop in is the rustic world. It is a world depends upon nature and not affected by the evils of Industrialisation. Far from the madding crowd also manifests the life of 'Wessex people' the people connected directly or indirectly with agriculture. Most of the action takes place in Weatherbury a town located in the Wessex region. Hardy is interested in persons as well as place and local life. The place has a very significant place in his novels. In Far from the madding crowd, all activities take place in the same region, the Wessex.

Characterization

Far from the madding crowd introduces a large group of characters, both major and minor, male and female all belonging to the agriculture world. The novel is governed by a woman Bathsheba another significant female character is Fenny Robin. Important male character or Gabriel oak, sergeant Troy, and Boldwood. The minor character of the novel is Poorarass, Coggan, Liddy, Pennyways, Maryann and many others. The characters in the novel live a simple life with the harmony of Nature.

Style

Style refers to the technique of narrating the right word for the right place. Hardy seems very effective in the matter of style. He displays a minute description of the landscape, activities of the farmer and pastoral world. He also makes fine use of the flashback technique in the novel.

To wind up

Far from the madding crowd mega-success showing the life of the rustic world. Symbolic title, well-knit plot, rich gallery of character and many other aspects make the novel more appealing.