Author: Thomas Hardy
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 384
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171674054
Description
First published in 1874, this was Hardy's fourth novel. It became so successful that Hardy gave up architecture and remained devoted to writing.
Hardy’s fourth novel, published in 1874, ‘Far from the madding Crowd’ became so successful that Hardy was the able to give up architecture and devote himself to writing.
The theme of ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ the contrast between patient and generous devotion and selfish, unscrupulous passion, seems to have been a favorite of Hardy’s as it occurs in some of his other novels as well, Gabriel Oak, in serving Bathsheba Everdene, owner of a farm, shows unselfish devotion; but greatly as she relies upon him, Bathsheba nevertheless cannot think of him as a suitor. One of her admirers is Boldwood, owner of a neighboring farm, Events take a nasty turn with the arrival of Sergeant Troy, who seduces one of Bathsheba's maids, Fanny Robin, but deserts her.
Yet Troy succeeds in charming Bathsheba to marry him. Soon he begins to ill-treat her, and when the news comes that Fanny has died in childbirth in a poorhouse, he leaves the farm and disappears. It is thought that he has been drowned. Farmer Boldwood, still very much wanting to marry Bathsheba, throws a party, at which he makes Bathsheba promise that she will marry him sometime in the future. Troy, however, appears at this party, and unable to bear Troy’s interference in his life any further, Boldwood shoots him. He is tried, but is declared insane.
Gabriel oak’s faithfulness is at last rewarded and he is married to Bathsheba Everdene.
Contents
Thomas Hardy
Introduction
General Preface to the Wessex Edition of 1912 by Thomas Hardy
1. Description of Farmer Oak -- An Incident
2. Night -- The Flock -- An Interior -- Another Interior
3. A Girl on Horseback -- Conversation
4. Garbriel’s Resolve -- The Visit -- The Mistake
5. Departure of Bathsheba --- A Pastoral Tragedy
6. The Fair -- The Journey -- The Fair
7. Recognition --- A Timid Girl
8. The Malthouse -- The Chat -- News
9. The Homestead -- A Visitor -- Half Confidence
10. Mistress and Men
11. Outside the Barracks -- Snow -- A Meeting
12. Farmers --- A Rule --- An Exception
13. Sortes Sanctorum --- The Valentine
14. Effect of the Letter --- Sunrise
15. A morning Meeting --- The Letter again
16. All Saints’ and all Souls’
17. In the Market-place
18. Boldwood in Meditation --- Regret
19. The Sheep --- washing --- The Offer
20. Perplexity --- Grinding the Shears --- A Quarrel
21. Troubles in the Fold --- A Message
22. The Great Barn and the Sheep-shearers
23. Eventide --- A Second Declaration
24. The Same Night --- The Fir Plantation
25. The New Acquaintance described
26. Scene on the Verge of the Hay-mead
27. Hiving the Bees
28. The Hollow amid the Ferns
29. Particulars of a Twilight Walk
30. Hot Cheeks and Tearful Eyes
31. Blame --- Fury
32. Night --- Horses tramping
33. In the Sun --- A Harbinger
34. Home again --- A Trickster
35. At an Upper Window
36. Wealth in Jeopardy --- The Revel
37. The Storm --- The Two together
38. Rain - One Solitary meets another
39. Coming Home --- A Cry
40. On Caster bridge Highway
41. Suspicion --- Fanny is sent for
42. Joseph and his Burden --- Buck’s Head
43. Fanny’s Revenge
44. Under a Tree --- Reaction
45. Troy’s Romanticism
46. The Gurgoyle: its Doing
47. Adventures by the shore
48. Doubts arise --- Doubts linger
49. Oak’s Advancement --- A Great Hope
50. The Sheep Fair --- Troy touches his wife’s hand
51. Bathsheba talks with her outrider
52. Converging Courses
53. Concurritur --- Horae Momento
54. After the Shock
55. The March Following --- ‘Bathsheba Boldwood’
56. Beauty in Lonelines --- After All
57. A Foggy Night and Morning --- Conclusion
Bibliography