Thomas Hardy

Is Henchard a tragic character? Why or why not? Does he possess a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall? If so, what is it?

In Thomas Hardy’s novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge, the main protagonist, Michael Henchard displays the typical traits of a tragic hero. He is presented with certain admirable qualities such as his overbearing generosity coupled with his staunch integrity. However, his tragic flaw, being his volatile and domineering personality completely governed by his emotions, his overwhelming pride, and his fierce temper begin to get the better of him. As a result, he suffers from his reversal of fortune. Plagued by his impulsive decisions, he quickly transitions from the mayor of Casterbridge and an owner of a prosperous industry, to a miserable wretch, despised by his fellow townsmen.

In the beginning, Henchard suffers from his drinking habit. This leads to a chain reaction which results in selling of his wife by auction. But his integrity and sense of responsibility leads him on a search to find his wife. His subsequent oath of abstaining from alchohol for twenty one years shows his moral standards. His sense of responsibility drives him to make up for his wrong-doings and mistakes. Furthermore, his staunch integrity is later shown when his wife, Susan, arrives in Casterbridge and he decides to remarry her to make amends for the mistake committed.

Aside from that, his many instances of magnanimity is another one of his more amiable traits. Henchard recruits Farfrae without having any background knowledge on him, he allows Farfrae to not only name his own conditions but have a say in his pay as well. As the novel progresses, Henchard’s lavish generosity becomes more conspicuous. He also willingly takes care of Whittle’s mother, preventing her from freezing through the winter.

Henchard’s notoriety comes from his domineering and impulsive temperament. From the beginning of his life, to his bitter end, he demonstrates many instances of this flaw. In the beginning, Henchard, as a result of his emotions, ends up selling his wife. Afterwards, Henchard ends up firing Farfrae due to increasing jealousy. His impulsiveness causes him to compete with Farfrae. Henchard, wanting to dominate others, feels inferior to Farfrae. As a result, he attempts to regain fame by hosting an event that is greater than that of Farfrae’s. This impulsive decision results in disaster as it rains, ruining Henchard’s fair, and popularizing Farfrae’s. This shows how Henchard’s vehemence alongside his tyrannical behavior, causes him to make irrational decisions. He fires his best manager and only friend, despite being inept at managing his business himself.

On the days that followed, Henchard instinctually launches an economic war against Farfrae, causing destruction of his business. He fires Jopp at once in the heat of anger, and shifts the blame to him instead of on himself. His temper overrides all rational thought and in turn, begin to lead him toward his downfall; his reversal of fortune.

As his tragic flaws completely overtake him, he commits deeds which are at the root of his own downfall; his “fall from grace.” His old drinking habits reappear as twenty one years have passed. He is shortly after removed from the position of mayor by Farfrae, which causes him great humiliation. Henchard acts upon his impulses and attempts to kill Farfrae. This scenario aids in Henchard’s ruin as it causes Farfrae, the only person he has ever considered a friend, to completely despise him. He lies to Newson about Elizabeth’s status. His attitude and treatment towards Elizabeth-Jane is equally impulsive and rash. Initially, he was over-protective, but as soon as he learns that she is Newson’s biological daughter, he starts neglecting her and almost compels her to leave him. It is from this, that he ensures his descent. His deception causes him to become a vagabond until his inevitable death.