The Mayor of Casterbridge

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy is a tragic novel about fate, character, and redemption. It begins with Michael Henchard, a poor laborer, drunkenly selling his wife and child at a country fair. Years later, he rises to become a wealthy grain merchant and the respected mayor of Casterbridge.When his wife and daughter return, Henchard tries to make amends, but his impulsive nature, pride, and rivalry with the capable newcomer Donald Farfrae lead to his downfall. He loses his business, social standing, and relationships, ending in isolation and despair.The novel highlights Hardy’s themes of chance, human weakness, and the inevitability of suffering in rural Victorian society.