Budding Romance Between Bathsheba And Francis Troy example essay topic

Far From the Madding Crowd Whether you are of the opinion that love is a wonderful thing, love knows no boundaries, or love is blind, one fact remains constant: love is like a snowflake-no two loves or snowflakes are ever exactly alike. In Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd, the heroine, Bathsheba Everdene, has the luck (or unfortunate mishap) of courting not one, or even two, but three suitors during the course of the novel. Although Bathsheba Everdene could be considered to be in quite an enviable position by many women, both yesterday and presently, she doesn't always seem to enjoy being courted by her numerous suitors. Most importantly, though, Bathsheba's character grows and evolves because of, or in spite of, the situations she encounters and eventually overcomes throughout her romantic escapades. Initially, Bathsheba's character is high-spirited, feminine, na " ive and self-centered. This is the first impression she gives Gabriel Oak, who eventually becomes a suitor, when she encounters him at the beginning of the story.

The first time Gabriel lays eyes on Bathsheba, she is gazing admiringly at her own reflection in her pocket mirror. Gabriel realizes immediately that her greatest fault is "what it is always... vanity" (p. 56). Gabriel, although impressed by Bathsheba's beauty and vivacity, does not immediately begin to court her. He is quite smitten with her from the very beginning of their relationship.

Gabriel even goes so far as to repeat her name over and over and is quoted as saying "I'll make her my wife, or upon my soul I shall be good for nothing" (p. 74. ). He proposes marriage to her, but she admits that she does not love Gabriel and, if they tried to make a relationship work without love, he would grow to despise her. Being the amiable fellow that he proves himself to be throughout the story, Gabriel is quite firm when he tells Bathsheba, "Very well... then I'll ask you no more" (p. 82). Although Hardy might wish his readers to believe that this episode is the end of any romance between Bathsheba and Gabriel, we realize that there is a grain of truth to the phrase "save the best for last". Meanwhile, Bathsheba moves on with her new life as mistress of the farm that her recently deceased uncle has left for her.

She agrees to hire Gabriel as a shepherd, so he stays in the picture throughout the remainder of the story and witnesses her romance with Mr. Boldwood and Sergeant Francis Troy and her eventual maturation into a wiser and more loving woman. Mr. Boldwood, Bathsheba's first actual suitor, is a middle-aged farmer who is well known by the women in town as the bachelor that no one could quite snag. The initial attraction for Bathsheba is probably the fact that he ignores her-passing by her without so much as a greeting-which piques her interest. A beautiful young woman, Bathsheba Everdene is used to getting a lot of attention and is disconcerted when she is overlooked. Bathsheba and her maid, Liddy, conspire to send an anonymous valentine to Farmer Boldwood, inscribed with the words "marry me". Meaning it only as a joke, Bathsheba is both amazed and hurt by the following chain of events.

Boldwood is clueless about who the sender is, but begins to notice Bathsheba's outer beauty. He asks a neighbor his opinion of the young woman's looks, and is then overcome by jealousy when he sees her speaking to another farmer. Boldwood and Bathsheba are both extremely na " ive despite their age difference and variance in background. Where he is quite complex, she suffers from a complete lack of sophistication. He doesn't realize the frivolity with which the valentine was written and she fails to see the potentially tragic results her thoughtless act could bring. Boldwood declares his feelings for her, but she declines to admit any real interest in him and thus deeply regrets her reckless act.

She that day nearly formed the intention of begging his pardon on the very next occasion of their meeting. The worst features of this arrangement were that, if he thought she ridiculed him, an apology would increase the offense by being disbelieved; and if he thought she wanted him to woo her, it would read like additional evidence of her forwardness (p. 169). Bathsheba then agrees to give Boldwood her decision whether or not to marry him within four or five weeks. However, in that short period of time, Bathsheba is introduced to her second suitor, Sergeant Francis Troy. Where Boldwood's love is mature and predictable, Troy seem to be full of excitement and thrilling danger. Bathsheba, still tending to act immaturely, is immediately enticed by this tall, dark stranger, whom she meets by chance out in her fields.

Troy has the reputation of a womanizer and a liar, but Bathsheba is suffering from the "love is blind" syndrome and refuses to see, or admit that she could see, any faults that Troy has. Troy, like Boldwood, also has quite a reputation in the town. Unflattering as it may be, Francis Troy is known to be moderately truthful to men, but a flat-out liar to women. Sergeant Troy insists that he has loved Bathsheba from the minute he saw her and proceeds to woo her by a showy exhibition of his sword-wielding skills designed to prove that he is trustworthy. Bathsheba and Troy are soon married, much to Boldwood's chagrin upon his return.

During her romance with Troy, Bathsheba and Gabriel Oak seem to become closer friends. They begin to confide in each other and Gabriel often serves as Bathsheba's conscience and protector in Boldwood's absence. Gabriel, who is not as na " ive as the flighty Bathsheba, sees through Sergeant Troy's charming behavior and almost immediately notes his unworthiness to court Bathsheba. Of course, being the stubborn and independent woman that she is, Bathsheba accuses Oak of meddling in her affairs and asks him to leave her alone. Throughout the chapters that introduce the budding romance between Bathsheba and Francis Troy, the reader is exposed to some of Gabriel's most admirable qualities. He realizes that it is his duty to expose Troy for the villain he really is.

While Gabriel does this out of friendship and love, he does not have an ulterior motive for trying to protect Bathsheba. The honesty, courage and fairness of his actions are all genuine characteristics possessed by Oak. The exciting and happy love between Troy and Bathsheba is short-lived. Sergeant Troy is quoted as saying, "All romances end at marriage" (p. 330).

Troy's true colors begin to shine through his effervescent personality and Bathsheba begins to realize that she has married a very charming and convincing liar, cheat and drunk. The climactic end of their marriage occurs when Fanny Robin, whom Troy had left at the altar earlier in the story, turns up nine months pregnant and just barely alive. Troy happens upon her and asks her why she hasn't written since the incident at the church. Fanny tells him that she was afraid to correspond with him because of the way he had left her and ran away when she needed and loved him. Seeing that she needs him now more than ever, Troy gives her the small amount of money that he is carrying and apologizes for not having more to give and explains that his wife keeps him short. They arrange to meet again and Troy insists that he will bring Fanny more money and help her find a warm and safe place to stay.

Bathsheba, who has followed Troy, witnesses this account between Troy and Fanny and is upset by it. However, Troy claims that he barely knows the young woman and has no idea what her name is. Before Fanny and Troy can meet again, Fanny dies in childbirth. Out of respect and intuitive knowledge of the truth, Bathsheba lays flowers in Fanny's coffin. Troy enters the room and sees Fanny's lifeless body lying alongside that of their lost child, and kisses Fanny's cold lips while emotionally announcing his undying love for her. He tells Bathsheba that he could never love her as much as he still loves Fanny, even though he has foolishly lost her.

Bathsheba now realizes the truth, thus signifying the end of the short-lived, but ultimately doomed, marriage. Boldwood never seems to give up the hope that one day he, too, will be lucky enough to wed Bathsheba. His undying love remains unrequited, though, and Bathsheba turns her fancy to other things-mainly Gabriel Oak. She is now more open to the realization that Oak has been the only one of her suitors who has been honest, up-front, and true to her love. Finally, Bathsheba appoints Oak bailiff and the farm continues to fare well under his guidance. After the tragic murder of Troy by Mr. Boldwood, which exemplifies the idea that "love has no boundaries", Oak remains steadfast and loyal.

Bathsheba is overcome by sadness when she hears of his plans to leave England and travel to California. She realizes that she will be lost without him, and he acknowledges that this is even more of a reason for him to go. The primary reason Oak wishes to leave England is because of the gossip circulating that he is interested in purchasing Boldwood's farm so he will be wealthy enough to court Bathsheba. Gabriel Oak eventually decides to remain on the farm with Bathsheba, and they are married in 'The most private, secret, plainest wedding that it is possible to have" (p. 460), according to Bathsheba's wishes. This final taste of love shows that the many trials and hard times that Bathsheba has survived have made her relationship with Gabriel all the sweeter. The ending to this story is simplistic in direct contrast to the complications that ensue at the beginning.

Bathsheba has now grown into a lovely woman on the inside to match the outer beauty that was so obvious all along. She will share her life with Gabriel Oak and they will treat each other with nothing less than understanding, affection and true love and friendship. This simple closing is both effective and appropriate to the general tone of the novel, leaving the reader with the feeling that "all's well that ends well". The analogy between love and a snowflake is very real. Each is rare and beautiful and meant to be cherished. Each has the potential to melt away and disappear from the mind and heart forever, but each also has the potential to remain eternally cherished.

Each is individually unique and together complete. Far From the Madding Crowd was published in 1874 and proved to be a financial success for Hardy, who found popularity because of this well-liked story. Eventually Hardy's portrayal of romance and love made it to the big screen, which only proved to increase the enthusiasm for Far From the Madding Crowd. The title of this well-loved novel comes from the feelings that Hardy, himself, had for his native country and the common, yet interesting, people who live there.

This peaceful feeling of being disconnected from the hustle and havoc of every day life is the exact emotion that Hardy wishes us to feel as we read each chapter.

Bibliography

HARDY, THOMAS. Far From the Madding Crowd. New York: Penguin Classics, 1985.