Author: Thomas HardyPublisher: RupaYear: 1999Language: EnglishPages: 384ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171674054 DescriptionFirst published in 1874, this was Hardy's fourth novel. It became so successful that Hardy gave up architecture and remained devoted to writing.Hardy’s fourth novel, published in 1874, ‘Far from the madding Crowd’ became so successful that Hardy was the able to give up architecture and devote himself to writing.The theme of ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ the contrast between patient and generous devotion and selfish, unscrupulous passion, seems to have been a favorite of Hardy’s as it occurs in some of his other novels as well, Gabriel Oak, in serving Bathsheba Everdene, owner of a farm, shows unselfish devotion; but greatly as she relies upon him, Bathsheba nevertheless cannot think of him as a suitor. One of her admirers is Boldwood, owner of a neighboring farm, Events take a nasty turn with the arrival of Sergeant Troy, who seduces one of Bathsheba's maids, Fanny Robin, but deserts her. Yet Troy succeeds in charming Bathsheba to marry him. Soon he begins to ill-treat her, and when the news comes that Fanny has died in childbirth in a poorhouse, he leaves the farm and disappears. It is thought that he has been drowned. Farmer Boldwood, still very much wanting to marry Bathsheba, throws a party, at which he makes Bathsheba promise that she will marry him sometime in the future. Troy, however, appears at this party, and unable to bear Troy’s interference in his life any further, Boldwood shoots him. He is tried, but is declared insane.Gabriel oak’s faithfulness is at last rewarded and he is married to Bathsheba Everdene.ContentsThomas Hardy IntroductionGeneral Preface to the Wessex Edition of 1912 by Thomas Hardy1. Description of Farmer Oak -- An Incident2. Night -- The Flock -- An Interior -- Another Interior3. A Girl on Horseback -- Conversation4. Garbriel’s Resolve -- The Visit -- The Mistake5. Departure of Bathsheba --- A Pastoral Tragedy6. The Fair -- The Journey -- The Fair7. Recognition --- A Timid Girl8. The Malthouse -- The Chat -- News9. The Homestead -- A Visitor -- Half Confidence10. Mistress and Men11. Outside the Barracks -- Snow -- A Meeting12. Farmers --- A Rule --- An Exception13. Sortes Sanctorum --- The Valentine14. Effect of the Letter --- Sunrise15. A morning Meeting --- The Letter again16. All Saints’ and all Souls’17. In the Market-place18. Boldwood in Meditation --- Regret19. The Sheep --- washing --- The Offer20. Perplexity --- Grinding the Shears --- A Quarrel21. Troubles in the Fold --- A Message22. The Great Barn and the Sheep-shearers23. Eventide --- A Second Declaration24. The Same Night --- The Fir Plantation25. The New Acquaintance described26. Scene on the Verge of the Hay-mead27. Hiving the Bees28. The Hollow amid the Ferns29. Particulars of a Twilight Walk30. Hot Cheeks and Tearful Eyes31. Blame --- Fury32. Night --- Horses tramping 33. In the Sun --- A Harbinger 34. Home again --- A Trickster35. At an Upper Window36. Wealth in Jeopardy --- The Revel37. The Storm --- The Two together38. Rain - One Solitary meets another 39. Coming Home --- A Cry40. On Caster bridge Highway41. Suspicion --- Fanny is sent for42. Joseph and his Burden --- Buck’s Head43. Fanny’s Revenge44. Under a Tree --- Reaction45. Troy’s Romanticism46. The Gurgoyle: its Doing47. Adventures by the shore48. Doubts arise --- Doubts linger49. Oak’s Advancement --- A Great Hope50. The Sheep Fair --- Troy touches his wife’s hand51. Bathsheba talks with her outrider52. Converging Courses53. Concurritur --- Horae Momento54. After the Shock55. The March Following --- ‘Bathsheba Boldwood’56. Beauty in Lonelines --- After All57. A Foggy Night and Morning --- ConclusionBibliography
