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"Far From the Madding Crowd" Part 4: Chapters XXX-XXXVIII
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message 51:
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Em
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Aug 29, 2010 08:54AM
Although this part of the novel is the precident for a great deal of drama I felt that we didn't really know the character of Fanny that well and although I'm not unsympathetic of the trouble in which she finds herself, perhaps if we knew her better or more of the story was from her perspective then we would feel greater sympathy for her?
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MadgeUK wrote: "My sympathy was also lessened because I thought that Fanny had another choice, other than following Troy, and that was to stay within Bathsheba's household, where I feel she could have been sustained, despite her 'immoral' condition. "I didn't see any evidence that she was in her condition when Bathsheba came, though the timing may imply that. But also, let's keep in mind that Bathsheba's uncle, who might have had sympathy for Fanny, had died suddenly, and Bathsheba was an unknown quantity and a woman who perhaps didn't seem very womanly. Would Fanny have thought that she could assume acceptance and a safe haven from this unknown mistress? As I recall in the text, she left almost immediately Bathsheba arrived.
And since it appeared that Troy had been willing to marry her, her decision in fact would have proved to be a good one if she hadn't mixed up the churches. If she had gone to the right church, she would have been a married woman by the time she gave birth, and at least theoretically in a good place (though one suspects that Troy's eye would have continued to rove, she would have had the legal right to demand financial support even if he abandoned her.)
So it may be that her decision was right in principle, but bad in execution.
Yes, she did leave almost as soon as Bathsheba arrived although some concern was expressed by Bathsheba and the other servants about her welfare. I just thought it might have been another angle for Hardy to explore - the acceptance of a 'fallen' woman, although maybe it was too early in his career for him to take that risk. It seems that after the church episode Troy had no intention of marrying her because by then he had taken a shine to Bathsheba's fortune, even though we are led to believe in the melodramatic chapters later on that he really loved Fanny. So Fanny's best bet might still have been to go back to the farm. However that wasn't how Hardy plotted it so who am I to do a rewrite:D:D.
Everyman wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I had read a few of Hardy's novels when I was young, but I didn't really 'get' them and put Hardy down as a bit long-winded. I found all his long descriptions a distraction because I ..."
I am new to the Victorian Era. Did people look down on on country folk? I remember an honor stuent in high school who used 'farmer' to mean stupid. Hardy describes Gabriel' expertise in saving the bloated sheep. He descibes Spring as the time when the devil is banished to the towns. Which brings up Chris' reference to 'propinquity'. The sheep are sheared in order for the wool to be sold to people unknown who are far away in the towns. As in marriage, keeping a safe distance is essential to maintaining a healthy relationship.
Sandybanks wrote: ""Dazzled by brass and scarlet --- O Bathsheba --- this is woman's folly indeed!"The key to Bathsheba's tragic relationship with Troy; being sexually inexperienced, she confuses lust with love. At..."
Can we surrender ourselves in love and then leave without leaving part of ourselves behind ? Most consider it worth the risk.
Karlstadt wrote: "I am new to the Victorian Era. Did people look down on on country folk? I remember an honor stuent in high school who used 'farmer' to mean stupid. Hardy describes Gabriel' expertise in saving th..."I rather think that townsfolk look down on country folk in many eras and places Karlstadt:) I like your reflection on marriage, sheep and distance.
MadgeUK wrote: "Chapter 36 about 'the Revel' following the harvest, is in stark contrast to the churchlike scene of The Great Barn and Sheepshearers in Chapter 22 where the mention of 'Money, Temperance and Sober..."
Troy's choice to get drunk with his men rather than be with his wife when night comes reminds me of the type of man who would rather get drunk with the guys than be with his wife. These men have reasons for not coming home, like an unhappy marriage or not wanting to face the chores. How sad for them.
Truly! I think perhaps it already shows the deterioration of the marriage. Troy is so spoiled and determined to be the man of the house. He goes ahead and gets drunk with the boys to show Bathsheba he is the one in control and he is a leader of men. Very macho, very telling, I think!
Not to mention damaging to their farm and its profitability, given how he dismisses Gabriel telling him about the approaching storm and risks losing out financially as a result!
Marialyce wrote: "Troy is so spoiled and determined to be the man of the house. He goes ahead and gets drunk with the boys to show Bathsheba..."Not the man of the house. Perhaps the child dictator of the house. But there's nothing of the man about him.
