Mayor of Casterbridge Question 6

The question brings to mind a quote by Thomas Jefferson: "Wisdom I know is social. She seeks her fellows." In this same respect, Hardy employs a social gathering to reveal to the reader Casterbridge's general opinion towards mayor Michael Henchard. At the gathering, the villagers, although they respect him, are quite irate at the fact that there is no wheat in the town. In this sense the social gathering is used as a place to complain and address concern to the mayor. Henchard's disgruntled disposition, however, does not provide much empathy to the citizens, as he quickly dismisses the matter due to lack of an answer to their urgent questions. The respect comes from the people's knowledge of Henchard's vow to temperance. They believe him basically a good man for this, and therefore do not completely scorn of his foolish buying of "bad bread". He is also a quite powerful and well known man, as stated by a commoner: "Why, my good maid, he's the powerfullest member of the Town Council, and quite a principal man in the country round besides." (Page 42). With such a position comes a degree of automatic authority and respect, as shown in the novel. As always in a social gathering, there is a certain level of secrecy pertaining to something, in this case the reason why Henchard made the vow in the first place, though most people do not question it do to the association with God. Despite this, Henchard still feels nervous and ashamed when any mention of the vow comes up. Such feelings cause countenances of bitterness and exclusiveness, which is possibly the reason for Henchard's still negative constitution. Overall, Hardy employs social gatherings to give the reader further insight into Henchard's complicated psyche, and therefore broadening the reader's overall grasp of the novel's depth.