The Mayor of Casterbridge: Chapter 41 Summary & Analysis

Not long after Henchard learns of Lucetta’s death, he is sitting up at home when Elizabeth-Jane arrives. She gives him the news, which he has already heard. He says how kind of her it was to come and invites her to rest there while he prepares some breakfast. Elizabeth-Jane lies down and falls asleep, and Henchard waits with the breakfast, contemplating a better future with his stepdaughter.

Henchard answers a knock at the door and is greeted by the stranger who stopped at Peter’s Finger in Mixen Lane. The stranger identifies himself as Richard Newson, and a chill goes through Henchard upon hearing this name. Newson speaks of Susan’s innocence in the matter of her own sale; how she did not realize that the transaction between them was not binding. Newson explains how he hoped to give Susan a better life and how she had seemed happy once she had a second child to replace the first who died.

Newson says that eventually Susan realized she was not bound to stay with him and was tormented by her sense of duty to return to Henchard. Therefore, when a storm at sea meant that many sailors were supposed dead, Newson decided to leave Susan with the belief that he had died and so free her to return to Henchard. He says that he learned of Susan’s death, but wishes to find Elizabeth-Jane, his daughter.

Henchard doggedly replies that Elizabeth-Jane has also died. He says she is buried next to her mother and died more than a year previously. Newson exclaims that his journey to Casterbridge has therefore been in vain, and departs. Realizing that Newson may discover the truth in town, and take away Henchard’s only remaining companion and hope in life, Henchard follows Newson until he sees him leave in a coach. His simple faith in the truth of Henchard’s words prevents him from inquiring elsewhere for Elizabeth-Jane.

Henchard realizes that perhaps Newson’s grief at believing Elizabeth-Jane dead has also prevented him inquiring further. But he feels that Newson’s grief could be nothing next to his if Elizabeth-Jane were taken from him. He returns home and has breakfast with Elizabeth-Jane, who is grateful for his kindness and attentiveness. Elizabeth-Jane asks if Henchard is lonely, and promises to come visit him frequently. After she departs that day, Henchard knows that she would come live with him if he asked, and yet he fears that Newson will still discover her and take her away from him.

Henchard thinks about his life, in which he may live on for many more years, and he sees nothing in it to look forward to, no hobbies or interests to occupy him in place of the people who have been taken from him. He walks to the second bridge and follows the river to a place called Ten Hatches. He takes off his hat and coat and stands at the very edge of the river. But as he looks down, he sees a figure in the water, which is revealed to be himself. Henchard turns away, overwhelmed as if witnessing a miracle. He takes his hat and coat and leaves the river.

Henchard returns home to find Elizabeth-Jane waiting to see him, saying that he had appeared sad that morning and that she wished to visit again. He asks her if she believes in miracles. He asks if she will come with him, so that he can show her something and the pair returns to Ten Hatches. Elizabeth-Jane sees in the water Henchard’s effigy from the skimmington-ride. Henchard says that the performance of the skimmington-ride killed Lucetta, but saved his life.

Elizabeth-Jane comprehends the seriousness of Henchard’s situation and asks if she might come and live with him. He says he wishes she would, but wonders how she can forgive him for his past treatment of her. Elizabeth-Jane says that it is forgotten and the two plan to live together. She overhears Henchard later say that someone must be looking out for even such an outcast as himself.