Far From The Madding Crowd Essay

1830 Words8 Pages
Compare Hardy’s methods of presentation of the characters of Gabriel Oak and Farmer Boldwood and examine their significance in the novel. In Far From the Madding Crowd Hardy shows his interest in the changing face of rural agriculture in England during the nineteenth century and the social concerns relating to this. He highlights how it is possible for people to move from one social group to another; conveyed through the experiences of different characters in the novel. Hardy’s methods of presenting the characters Gabriel Oak and Farmer Boldwood are similar as in both cases a clear description of appearance and significance of name is provided, however Hardy also illustrates their characters through the use of direct speech, authorial comment and imagery to convey contrasts and similarities. The reader is continuously reminded of Oak and Boldwood’s ongoing relationship throughout the novel with Bathsheba; this is reflected through the natural surroundings and sheep farming to establish dramatic effects on the characters and the growth of their relationships. Hardy’s communal anxiety and awareness for his surroundings is implicated through the effective use of imagery and authorial statements to convey Hardy’s representation of social concerns. Oak is presented to the reader through Hardy’s eyes. The significance of Gabriel Oak is shown at the very beginning of the novel as he is the first character introduced, this is an authorial method used by Hardy. “his countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of the rising sun” Hardy’s use of imagery describing Oak’s appearance, suggests the importance of Oak’s expression and its influence on others in that even though he may be “a kind of salt and pepper mixture” he has the potential to shine; the verb “rising” also implies Oak is forever becoming enhanced; Hardy’s use of adjectives “rudimentary” helps the
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