Far From The Madding Crowd :: essays research papers fc

Far From the Madding Crowd Whether you are of the opinion that love is a wonderful thing, love knows no boundaries, or love is blind, one fact remains constant: love is like a snowflake—no two loves or snowflakes are ever exactly alike. In Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd, the heroine, Bathsheba Everdene, has the luck (or unfortunate mishap) of courting not one, or even two, but three suitors during the course of the novel. Although Bathsheba Everdene could be considered to be in quite an enviable position by many women, both yesterday and presently, she doesn’t always seem to enjoy being courted by her numerous suitors. Most importantly, though, Bathsheba’s character grows and evolves because of, or in spite of, the situations she encounters and eventually overcomes throughout her romantic escapades.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Initially, Bathsheba’s character is high-spirited, feminine, naà ¯ve and self-centered. This is the first impression she gives Gabriel Oak, who eventually becomes a suitor, when she encounters him at the beginning of the story. The first time Gabriel lays eyes on Bathsheba, she is gazing admiringly at her own reflection in her pocket mirror. Gabriel realizes immediately that her greatest fault is â€Å"what it is always . . . vanity† (p. 56).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gabriel, although impressed by Bathsheba’s beauty and vivacity, does not immediately begin to court her. He is quite smitten with her from the very beginning of their relationship. Gabriel even goes so far as to repeat her name over and over and is quoted as saying â€Å"I’ll make her my wife, or upon my soul I shall be good for nothing† (p. 74.). He proposes marriage to her, but she admits that she does not love Gabriel and, if they tried to make a relationship work without love, he would grow to despise her. Being the amiable fellow that he proves himself to be throughout the story, Gabriel is quite firm when he tells Bathsheba, â€Å"Very well . . . then I’ll ask you no more† (p. 82).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Hardy might wish his readers to believe that this episode is the end of any romance between Bathsheba and Gabriel, we realize that there is a grain of truth to the phrase â€Å"save the best for last.† Meanwhile, Bathsheba moves on with her new life as mistress of the farm that her recently deceased uncle has left for her. She agrees to hire Gabriel as a shepherd, so he stays in the picture throughout the remainder of the story and witnesses her romance with Mr.