Symbols in the Mayor of Casterbridge

AP English Literature and Composition strike down Hodge 19 March. 2013 Symbolism in The city manager of Casterbridge A token is an object, person, or get into that is used to represent a plan in the story. Through reveal the novel The city manager of Casterbridge, in that location argon triad blusher symbols. every last(predicate) three symbols courageous uses are objects. These three objects all represent something somewhat the main character, Henchard. One of the three symbols as well as pertains to Farfrae, a nonher character in the novel. The three symbols are the collision of buffleheads, the hair, and the caged yellow warbler.All three of the symbols blow bring out a macroscopic part in this novel and further help the contri only whenor understand the concepts of the characters. The first of the symbols is the collision of wagons. The twain wagons that collide are grain wagons wholeness owned by Henchard, and the other wagon owned by Farfrae. The wreck happe ns at night, and both of the wagons are filled to the brim with hay. One of the wagons gets stuck and has to be left overnight. The cerise collision of the two wagons is much(prenominal) than sightly a wreck which Farfraes wag geniusr thinks he must have done that a purpose (Hardy 179).This action symbolizes the ongoing get by of Henchard and Farfraes relationship (college prep). In the ascendant of their relationship, Henchard is very pleased with Farfrae, but as their lives go on together, Farfrae initiates to become more well-liked by the townspeople than Henchard. After more time passes, Henchard grows very jealous of Farfrae and despises him. They are building up great focus between one another, and the collision on the dot adds to it. The wagon collision also symbolizes the tralatitious ways in which Henchard does his business.These practices may be outdated and ineffective, but they are what Henchard stands for and values. On the other hand, Farfrae is very modern in his business, and therefore more effective. Farfrae and his modern status have caught the eye of townspeople, and they are intrigued by his way of business. The second symbol is the bull. The bull enters the novel when it chases down Lucetta and Elizabeth into a b and onto the loft. As they try to get away, Henchard is there to save their lives, mainly Lucettas. He gets a old of the bull and guides it to the ground. The bull becomes paralyzed, and its thump begins bleeding. Lucetta is crying and feels blessed she was organism relieve, but Henchard more so because she once saved him (Hardy 193). Through this action, the reader may begin to feel more sympathetic towards Henchard in the showing of his potential and courage. The bull in the novel also symbolizes the brute forces in the world that threaten human life. bended on destruction, it seems to embody the unnamed forces Henchard carries.The troika symbol is the caged goldfinch. This object is given to Elizabeth at her w edding, from Henchard. Henchard never actually gives the goldfinch great to Elizabeth, but he leaves it there in the corner of the room. The bird is forgotten there after Elizabeth coldly greets Henchard, which he takes harshly. When the maidservant finds the goldfinch, Elizabeth then realizes she need to set out and find Henchard, but she does not receive Henchard is with able-bo rund being cared for at equal to(p)s cottage.The only reason for Able doing this is because Henchard once cared for his mother. Able feels he needs to return the favor. When Elizabeth finally catches word of Henchard, he is already dead. Henchard didnt gain strength, for you see, maam, he couldnt eat (Hardy 304). The goldfinch symbolizes Henchard in his last days. Both Henchard and the goldfinch are not eating and famish themselves in their last days. Hardy ties Henchards hazard and the goldfinchs fate together. Both Henchard and the goldfinch live and die in a prison.Though Henchards was not liter al like the goldfinches, he was clam up imprisoned by his personality and his past. Henchard cannot make out what he has done in the past, and this is being shown with the symbol of the goldfinch. Even Though Elizabeth reaches out to Henchard in the end trying to stomach the storm, Henchard still dies isolated and alone (Holtsberry). All three of the symbols play a large part in this novel and farther help the reader understand the concepts of the characters. thusly the use of the symbols can be mum clearly.All the symbols reflect an abstract concept. By using the collision of wagons it shows the concept of Henchard and Farfraes relationship, and how it takes a turn for the worst. When Hardy uses the bull as a symbol in the novel, it shows the strength and courage of Henchard. The bull also shows the grim forces surrounding them in their lives. The last symbol is the caged goldfinch. This symbol shows how Henchard lives his life imprisoned in his own actions. Most of the choi ces Henchard makes that imprison him, he made in the past and when he was a young man.Even though one of Henchards biggest mistakes he makes is while he is a wise old man. This mistake is when he lies to Elizabeth about being her father. By Hardy using the symbols in The mayor of Casterbridge the unwonted moods of Henchard are accepted by the reader. whole shebang Cited Hardy, Thomas. The Mayor of Casterbridge. New York Barnes & Noble Classics, 2004. Print. Holtsberry, Kevin. The Mayor of Casterbridge. Blogcritics. org. Technorati, Inc, 21 May. 2004. Web. 16 March. 2013. Literary summary Essay. Collegepreppappers. blogspot. com. 12 March. 2012. Web. 16 March. 2013.