The Madding Crowd Essay Example for Free

The Madding Crowd EssayOne of the great strengths of Far From The Madding Crowd is Hardys contrasting portrayals of Gabriel oak and serjeant-at-law Frank troy. Discuss this observation on the novel Perhaps the greatest strength of Hardys novels is the excellent portrayals of his main characters. There are, however, many another(prenominal) strengths in Far From the Madding Crowd. For example, there are many descriptions of scenery that punctuate the action in the novel. These show Hardys skill as a writer by painting the scene so clearly in the readers mind that the characters can really flourish against their backdrop. The themes of love, persistence and nature permeate the novel and give it depth, even when the plot slows down. The greatest strength, then, is likely to celestial latitude to the characters who drive both the plot and the action. Two of these characters, oak and Troy, fall in love with Bathsheba Everdene and soon find themselves competing for her hand in mar riage. The portrayal of the differences between the characters is clearly an example of Hardys strongest work in the novel. Gabriel oak tree is a simple man who is very clear on who he is. Whilst Oak is shy, he is also honest and evermore tells the truth.Oak is described by Bathsheba as honest and true and he often tells her how he feels, I love you far more than common. He doesnt nurse the speech communication and the education to express himself properly to Bathsheba, but he is steadfast, keeping to his bottom line, making Bathsheba happy. Oak is unlucky in love and in life. He fails cartridge holder and time again to get Bathsheba to marry him, and when he loses his livelihood she is his get-go, unselfish thought thank God Im not married what would she have done in the poverty now coming upon me This shows that Oak puts other people first and is optimistic. He does not focus on the loss of his property and his farm, but on the good fortune that Bathsheba had not married him . It takes a strong personality to think in this way. Oak is described as a young man of sound judgmentand general good character very early on in the novel. He makes his intentions clear with regard to marrying Bathsheba within a few days of meeting her, and proposes a simple life to her, which reflects his own simplicity and honesty.He says And at home by the fire, whenever you look up there I shall be and whenever I look up, there will be you, asking her in simple terms to accept him and love him always for who he is. Oak is very modest I was never very clever on my inside but he shines underneath his dull extremities, taking charge in the fire and saving Bathshebas farm, and again in the storm. The author Jane Bailey says that Gabriel is the only character to really master the forces of nature. I check with her in this statement because the other characters dont deal with the problems nature gives them as well as Gabriel.In the storm, Gabriel knows the rain is coming because of the formation of the sheep, he manages to cover the bales of hay alone, and he is able to save the farm. Boldwood doesnt get his hay covered and he loses his harvest Troy gets drunk in the frenzy of the barn. This shows that Gabriel has control over Hardys main theme, nature. He is a natural leader, but he prefers to sink into the world of the rustics where he feels he fits in. Oak is a kind man, taking pity on a stranger in the night and giving her a shilling, which would have been a significant trades union of money.The stranger turns out to be Fanny, and he helps her a second time in death, rubbing out and child on her coffin, although it can be debated as to whether Oak did this out of kindness to Fanny or to Bathsheba. Oak is very self-sacrificial, giving everything to Bathsheba, and telling her I love you and I shall love you always. He does not change much over the course of the novel, showing how good Hardy believed him to be in the first place. Oak is not, however, a p uritan. He drinks with the rustics and criticises Troy and Boldwood, who are both his class superiors.Oak is determined and Hardy rewards him in the end with a happy marriage to Bathsheba, proving, in Hardys mind, that intentness pays off. Even in Oaks steadfast protection of Bathsheba, he is never faulted. He leaves quietly when she dismisses him and comes back to save her when she needs him. Even his first name, Gabriel, signifies his long-standing protection over Bathsheba- Gabriel is an Archangel, a protector of humans so his name is very apt. From Oaks actions and from Hardys descriptions of him, we can tell that Oak is a kind hearted, ideal man who loves Bathsheba more than Troy or even Boldwood could imagine.