Bionic Jean’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2022)

Bionic Jean’s comments from the Works of Thomas Hardy group.

We had foreshadowing of this in ch 19. I wrote a post about the pool Thomas Hardy calls Blackwater, and its environs: LINK HERE

Indeed Claudia, we have to hope that the rumour is exaggerated and that Michael Henchard does not slip back into his catastrophic old drinking habits 🤔

However his looking forward to the anniversary of his oath with anticipation, does not bode well. Once again Thomas Hardy has left us with such a powerful cliffhanger. 🤔

Bridget wrote: "Sorry I couldn't find a picture of Swan Bridge. ..."

That's because it doesn't exist any more! The former brick bridge called "Swan Bridge" was replaced by a stone wall in 1954. It's at the bottom of High St. East. But Grey's stone bridge of 1748, which Hardy describes as more isolated and frequented by those who have fallen on hard times, and are depressed, still remains. It's further outside Dorchester.

Great research, Bridget!

Bridget wrote: "I wonder, Jean, how far Port-Bredy is from Casterbridge ..."

14-16 miles, depending on which way you go.

Chapter 31 brings together other characters from the novel, such as the furmity woman, Abel Whittle, and Mr Grower (who witnessed Lucetta's wedding to Farfrae as well as being a creditor) and those from other stories by him.

As Bridget points out, we have a nice feeling of authenticity for this part of "Wessex", with the other creditors being those we recognise: Farmer James Everdene, Bathsheba's uncle (who had already died at the start of Far From the Madding Crowd) - and the shy young man Boldwood who was mentioned before in this novel but of course features more prominently in Far From the Madding Crowd.

We get a real sense of history, continuity and place from this, and as Bridget says, they are younger men, because this novel was set earlier.

Locations

Jopp’s cottage by the Priory Mill "—the sad purlieu to which he had wandered on the night of his discovery that she was not his daughter."

This used to be situated by the river on the North side of the town at the bottom of Friary Hill. Henchard has deliberately chosen an undesirable spot.

Connie wrote: "I wonder if Henchard is punishing himself by moving in with Jopp in the slum. Jopp would not be pleasant company and might even be abusive ..."

I like this angle very much, Connie

Michael Henchard

We've seen several instances of Henchard's sense of fairness and upright moral code. Just one detail in ch 31 is a typical example of this: when he decided it wasn't morally right for him to keep his fancy watch, so he sold it to give the proceeds to: "a cottager of Durnover in straitened circumstances" - one of his poorer creditors.

We were also told (by Abel Whittle) that the wages Henchard gave the workers were more generous than Farfrae's, whose were: "a shilling (1/-) a week less" (worth about £2.50 now). The average weekly wage for farmworkers in 1886 was 12/- to 15/- a week, so that loss would be noticeable. However Abel Whittle (who memorably had been dragged out of his bed by Henchard, to go to work with no trousers on) prefers a boss who does not fly off the handle so easily!

Farfrae is evidently cannier, and the better businessman, as Thomas Hardy reminds us with his final sentence:

"the scales and steel-yards began to be busy where guess-work had formerly been the rule."

Henchard judges by his senses and experience, "guessing" at the weather and so on, whereas Farfrae is more measured in every way because of his education. We can see though that Henchard is open-handed and generous.

Thanks Bridget for explaining the description of the grain. When we first met Henchard as the mayor, the townspeople were complaining that he sold "overblown" grain of poor quality.

The suggestion was made that this proved Henchard was a swindler, deliberately hoarding up bad grain and selling it at a profit. Most of us preferred to reserve our judgement, because he protested that he had had no choice, and Thomas Hardy explained that the harvest weather had been poor. (Then Farfrae showed his own generous side by sharing a technique for improving the grain.)

Today's chapter is related:

"In his desperation, [Henchard] failed to preserve that strict correspondence between bulk and sample which is the soul of commerce in grain."

We read then that one of his men was mainly to blame:

" ... in his great unwisdom, having picked over the sample of an enormous quantity of second-rate corn which Henchard had in hand, and removed the pinched, blasted, and smutted grains in great numbers. The produce if honestly offered would have created no scandal; but the blunder of misrepresentation, coming at such a moment, dragged Henchard’s name into the ditch."

So again, it does not look as if Henchard himself would have knowingly been a party to a deliberate deception.

We are told that this episode marks the beginning of his downfall, and I feel terribly sorry for Henchard at the moment. It is so poignant, when his creditors comment on Henchard's fair handing of his own bankruptcy, that he: "was more affected by this than he cared to let them perceive."

I can quite see that Henchard, whose overriding fault after all seems to be that he is headstrong (Thomas Hardy's own word) would be punishing himself by going to live with Jopp. Thanks Claudia, for quoting Jopp's original vengeful curse on him!

And what an accurate reflection on society Thomas Hardy made, about the gap of many years after he sold his wife, when:

"the act having lain as dead and buried ever since ... the black spot of his youth wore the aspect of a recent crime" whereas "had the incident been well known of old and always, it might by this time have grown to be lightly regarded as the rather tall wild oat ... of a young man".

Cindy wrote about Charlotte Lucas advising Jane Bennet to encourage Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice, as: "All the emotions can be sorted out when she is secure of him" (15)..."

This is a very good example. It indicates that in the 18th and 19th centuries, not only was security an essential state for females, but "to secure" a man, used as a verb was openly discussed in that context. To me it suggests entrapment. Sorry Claudia, if I have inadvertently repeated your point!

Cindy - "I wonder if she would have felt that strongly if a man other than Donald Farfrae was the other suitor for Lucetta's hand."

Ah, excellent thought. I think you're on to something there!

Peter - Sorry you've had a useless search. Yes, internet searches are full of mistakes, aren't they, and do have to be checked (as you did). But they can be a useful starting place.

Bridget - As far as I know, I don't think there is a direct relation between William Cowper's The Diverting History of John Gilpin and Charles Dickens.

Perhaps a mental connection is through the illustrations? Hablot Knight Browne, ("Phiz") who illustrated many of Dickens's works also created images for "John Gilpin's Ride". There may have been collaborations with other illustrators of both too.

I'd need to check textual references to the poem in my books when I'm home, as none spring to mind. Peter might know - he's a Dickens expert 🙂

Lucetta and Farfrae married in Port-Bredy.

Port-Bredy - or Bridport - used to be famous for its rope-making. In fact that's how the town developed. It has a very broad main street, which surprises visitors in a town of its age. (We asked about this ourselves, once. 🙂)

The streets of these historic English towns are generally narrow, with overhanging gables where the occupants can pass things to each other from an upper storey. But in Bridport, once the ropes were made, they were hung across the street house to house from the bedrooms to dry, so they needed a very long span. In 1858 there were 14 distinct firms manufacturing nets, cordage and canvas in Bridport, and there are still a similar number of firms that are involved in the rope-making industry. It also has a pub called "The Ropemakers Arms".

We are told in ch 30 that Elizabeth Jane has:

"a wonderful skill in netting of all sorts - acquired in childhood by making seines in Newson's home".

"Seines" are large fishing nets, hence Elizabeth-Jane could easily get involved in the trade in Port-Bredy. It's so apt that by chance or fate, her biological father - a sailor - is making provision for her even now, "from his watery grave" so to speak.

Bridget - I'm smiling to myself, as I've logged on first thing to make the link ... completely forgetting that since it's your new thread, you can do it yourself now 😆 It's so funny that we both made the same mistake.

What a bounty we have from you today, thank you! I particularly appreciate your explanation of the reference to Nathan. So this is a another indication of Farfrae's parallel in the Bible: David. I do think Farfrae is a bit of a puppet today, and as for Lucetta, with the:

"One supreme fact empowered her to this, that come what would, she had secured him"

- what a schemer she is to be sure! She actually used the same word before, to Henchard "I knew I should lose Donald if I did not secure him at once" What a terrible basis for a marriage. This is from a 21st century point of view, admittedly, but it does demonstrate what Thomas Hardy believed about what he called "women's wiles".

Elizabeth's firm views, so stridently expressed, came as a surprise. I am wondering, with each of these three, if their behaviour is psychologically viable, or whether the exigencies of the plot are uppermost in Thomas Hardy's mind at the moment. 🤔

I also noticed the neat coincidence of the very person who witnessed their wedding, Mr Grower, being the same person whom Henchard asked Lucetta to drop broad hints to about her betrothal to him! But I don't mind coincidences. They can be dramatically satisfying (as the Greeks found), and after all, they do happen in real life.

We actually have the "red rag to a bull" mentioned as a saying now!

I'm back, after a day of sunshine, showers and a gentle breeze, all making the sea sparkle, and moving the clouds so the shadows pass across the hillside - and drenching the townsfolk of Port-Bredy off and on. All a bit like the ups and downs in this novel of quick changes, really.

And it occurs to me that we have seen this situation before, with a younger couple marrying in secret, and a forlorn older man who is behaving recklessly, risking his earlier good social standing, because of an obsession with the female. If I say the title of the story it would be a spoiler, so please only unclick this if you are sure who I'm talking about! (view spoiler)[It's Bathsheba, Captain Troy and Famer Boldwood in Far From the Madding Crowd, published a dozen years earlier (hide spoiler)].

Peter, I too picked up the "bullish" metaphor for Henchard, who now, like the bull is hurt and bleeding. Great description of his character. The bull was attracted by the red "rag" (dress), just as Henchard had been attracted by a pretty face on the same person, years before.

What a chapter - as Bridget says - full of twists and turns. And my dislike has now switched from Michael to Lucetta! Could we have guessed this further deception? She pleads her case, but ...

And is it in character for honest, genial Donald Farfrae to be a party to it? 🤔 As I mentioned before though, he does often seem oblivious to what is going on. Perhaps Lucetta has bewitched him - or perhaps there is more to come. This novel could easily be subtitled "Secrets, Lies and Deceptions"!

And nobody gives a thought for that poor old bull, who was probably just being playful 🥲

I must stop here as I have to catch a bus to "Port-Bredy" in just over an hour (honestly!) The market day is still Saturday, by the way, just as it was for Lucetta, and events such as the folk festival, impromptu musicians, poetry readings or Art shows take place in the town square, Bucky-Doo.

Farfrae rode in a smart green-and-black gig behind a horse, but I shall ride in a newfangled, open-topped blue omnibus 😉 The bus ride along the coast is one of the prettiest in England. Damer's Barn may have gone, but there is still the odd barn, and stone thatched roof cottages are placed round every corner, between the patchwork of fields and meadows. On the other side is the beautiful calm sea, and grassy sloped inclines of hills, dotted with trees and sheep.

Not much has changed.

Locations

If you spotted this yesterday:

"The Market House and Town Hall abutted against ... the church, except in the lower storey, where an arched thoroughfare gave admittance to a large square called Bull Stake"

then that functioned almost as foreshadowing!

The barn where Lucetta and Elizabeth-Jane were rescued from the bull was Damer's barn on Bridport road, which no longer exists.

😆

Well that was a surprise to me, that the furmity woman would reappear! (Though like Cindy, at the beginning of the chapter I had a feeling it might be her.)

I do like the way the country folk not only act as a commentary (or Greek Chorus) on the action, but also steer it. Every so often we have a little anecdote inserted, which feels to me if it might affect the future action.

In the case of the furmity woman, we have already met her twice, and both times she was a key driving force. First by selling Michael Henchard the porridge laced with rum, which led to his downfall, and second with Susan, directing her to Casterbridge, so that she could rekindle her relationship with her husband. It shows that for all the modern ways and practices, the old traditions and folk beliefs may pop up at any time to prevent any "progress". Nice too that the town hall abuts the church: society v. religion.

Location - In fact this old town hall had a relatively short life, being built in 1792 and being replaced by the present existing building in 1848. A narrow road-way now leads to North Square.

Nice choice of cover picture, Bridget. What a shocking young woman Lucetta must have seemed for sure, with that red dress.

(Oh! Lucetta is off to Port-Bredy today! I wonder if she will go to the folk festival too 😆)

Farfrae

I think of Farfrae as a catalyst. In a way he works as a Dickens hero does, enabling the action but a little amorphous in personality himself.

We rarely read details of his motivation, or read the text from his point of view, unlike Elizabeth-Jane, Lucetta, Henchard or even Susan. With all of these we have been privy to their inner thoughts at some stage, but the clearest idea we have of Farfrae is that he is like David in the Bible. We are told that Farfrae has both the sides we mentioned: romanticism and business acumen, and can see that whichever the story needs at any point is to the fore. Farfrae is often oblivious to what is going on around him.

In the Norton edition there are several critical essays featuring Henchard, but not many which consider Farfrae. Yet to me he is interesting, precisely because he is not very well-rounded and we can overlay our own interpretations. Is he perhaps just a facilitator: a literary device?

I think I'm angrier with Michael Henchard at this point (ch 27) than I have been so far!

Like you Bridget, my feelings keep changing towards him, but outright bullying is despicable in any situation 😡. We all know that Lucetta seems a bit of a flibbertigibbet ... (although quite calculating in some ways), but Henchard's interest in her was only rekindled when he thought she and Donald Farfrae were an item.

Even that would not have been so bad if he had then courted her properly. It would have been fair competition. But to force Lucetta's hand in this way, by threats and blackmail, is completely unacceptable, and beneath him. I hope he comes to his senses and releases her from her promise.

Henchard has a track record now for regretting what he has done in a passionate temper, so my fingers are crossed.

Lee wrote: "Jean , we mourned for our collie when he passed last October after 14 wonderful years. And just last week I brought home a new puppy! I named him DICKENS!"

Dear Lee, I well remember your beautiful collie Bradley, and how devastated you were when he died. Even when we know it is imminent, as Brian sadly does, it is still such a shock when the day finally comes 🥹

We had no idea with Wolfie until that last week or so. But we cannot be without a dog again for long, and certainly cannot go through the same years of waiting once one is "ours" either! Little video updates are not enough. So we are looking online ... but there are so many poor furry souls out there.

I am delighted that you now have a puppy, Lee!! How marvellous - and what a perfect name 😊 I have a friend in real life who is mad about both Thomas Hardy and cats. Once she named one "Hardy" (he was such a scaredy-cat!) and twice "Henchard" (1 and 2), but never after one of his heroines for some reason.

Here's hoping to hear more about your canine Dickens! A very good choice of name, especially since he loved dogs.

Brian E wrote: "I was not raised with pets and have been truly amazed at how devastating their loss has been. They impact our daily life more than any person, with the possible exception of our spouse/mate or live-in children ..."

Yes they do: thank you so much for your empathy and heartfelt words Brian. And yes, it is very true that the more you love them the more it is a "necessary pain". A wise minister once said to me that however much you love a person or an an animal, the depth of grief you feel will be exactly the same.

I do wish your third dog as much happy time as possible with you both.

Cindy wrote: "I hope you and Chris find peace in your memories of Wolfie and how much he loved you both ..."

Thank you so much Cindy. You are right of course, but we wish it could have been longer 🥹Because he had been so badly treated in the pound, it took 2 years for the rescue centre to send Wolfie to us after we had adopted him. They could not get a collar or lead on him, and must have dreaded him being rejected again. As if we would! He was such a gorgeous, happy boy for the next four years or so, and tried his very best for us always.

I love that painting by Caravaggio, Bridget! It seems almost luminous when you see it in the flesh, and it's quite big too, so your eye is immediately drawn to it when you enter that room in the Gallery. Great observation that Thomas Hardy probably had it in mind!

I like the way that Thomas Hardy keeps both the farming year and the Corn laws central to the action:

"The time was in the years immediately before foreign competition had revolutionized the trade in grain; when still, as from the earliest ages, the wheat quotations from month to month depended entirely upon the home harvest."

So the fates of two main characters - at least within this chapter - seem determined by this "progress" in society, allied with the old superstitions of the weather-prophet. Henchard of course is angry with himself for believing something he knows is unreliable. But if he had not been so resentful of Farfrae, he would not have invested such a risky amount.

So this is twice recently that country folk and their traditions have impacted the main characters' actions. The other time was when Farfrae kindly employed a man who would otherwise have been separated from his sweetheart, just because Lucetta asked him to, as they watched the scene from her drawing room.

But Thomas Hardy also used that occasion to remind us of the dual aspect of Farfrae's nature: at the same time both romantic and businesslike. Farfrae admits that if he had not needed the worker, he would not have taken him on.

The other thing that occurs to me is that ironically, neither Henchard nor Farfrae are aware of the other's motivations, whereas all-seeing Elizabeth-Jane is.