The Mayor of Casterbridge Character Analysis

Michael Henchard

protagonist Michael Henchard works as a poor hay-trusser until, in drunken anger, he sells his wife and daughter for five guineas at the Weydon-Priors fair. Unable to find his lost family members, Henchard moves to… read analysis of Michael Henchard

Susan Henchard

Michael Henchard’s simple, but good-hearted wife. Susan is persuaded that her sale to Richard Newson is a legitimate transaction. When a neighbor to whom she confesses the past tells her that her “marriage” to… read analysis of Susan Henchard

Elizabeth-Jane Newson

Elizabeth-Jane is the biological daughter of Susan Henchard and Richard Newson. Susan and Michael Henchard had a daughter, also named Elizabeth-Jane, who died not long after she and her mother were sold to Newson… read analysis of Elizabeth-Jane Newson

Donald Farfrae

a young Scottish man who is traveling through Casterbridge when he offers Henchard a way of restoring wheat to a high quality. Henchard takes a liking to Farfrae and convinces him to abandon his schemes… read analysis of Donald Farfrae

Lucetta Templeman

a young woman from Jersey who had a brief relationship with Michael Henchard when he traveled to her town on business. Lucetta nursed Henchard when he fell ill in Jersey, and, despite her innocent love… read analysis of Lucetta Templeman

Richard Newson

a gracious sailor who buys Susan Henchard and the first Elizabeth-Jane from Henchard. He cares for Susan and their daughter, the second Elizabeth-Jane, until he sees the mother’s growing distress when she realizes… read analysis of Richard Newson

Joshua Jopp

a man Henchard promised to hire as his manager, before offering the position to Farfrae instead. Jopp continues to live in Casterbridge, struggling and poor. Henchard hires Jopp after Farfrae leaves his employment. Despite Henchard’s… read analysis of Joshua Jopp

Abel Whittle

an employee of Henchard’s and then later of Farfrae’s. This young man struggles to wake up on time and arrive at work on time. Henchard clashes with his then manager Farfrae over how… read analysis of Abel Whittle

The furmity-woman

once a prosperous sales woman, the furmity seller witnesses Henchard’s cruel choice to sell his wife and daughter for five guineas in her tent at the Weydon-Priors fair. The woman grows poorer as her… read analysis of The furmity-woman

Minor Characters

Benjamin Grower

a prominent Casterbridge man who is Henchard’s primary creditor and the witness to Lucetta and Mr. Farfrae’s out-of-town marriage.

Dr. Chalkfield

an elderly man who serves as mayor sometime between Henchard’s and Farfrae’s terms, before he dies.

Mother Cuxsom

a distinctively fat, poor woman of Casterbridge. A local gossip and frequent visitor at Saint Peter’s Finger, the pub in Mixen Lane.

Charl

a poor man of Casterbridge and frequent visitor at Saint Peter’s Finger, the pub in Mixen Lane. A leader of the skimmington with the effigies. Close companion of Joe.

Joe

a poor man of Casterbridge and frequent visitor at Saint Peter’s Finger, the pub in Mixen Lane. A leader of the skimmington with the effigies. Close companion of Charl.

Nance Mockridge

a poor woman of Casterbridge and frequent visitor at Saint Peter’s Finger, the pub in Mixen Lane.

Solomon Longways

employee of Farfrae’s, one of the group who attempts to protect Farfrae from the skimmington scandal.

Christopher Coney

employee of Farfrae’s, one of the group who attempts to protect Farfrae from the skimmington scandal.

Buzzford

employee of Farfrae’s, one of the group who attempts to protect Farfrae from the skimmington scandal.

A Royal Personage

a high-profile visitor who passes through Casterbridge. The town rallies to present an elegant welcome. Henchard’s exclusion from the proceedings causes him to attempt to greet the visitor by walking up alongside the arriving carriage, causing Farfrae to have to remove him bodily from the procession.

Dr. Bath

a member of the Town Council.

Lawyer Long

a member of the Town Council.

Alderman Tupper

a member of the Town Council.

Mrs. Bath

a lady of Casterbridge who sits with Lucetta at the royal reception.

Mrs. Blowbody

a lady of Casterbridge who sits with Lucetta at the royal reception.

Mr. Blowbody

a man of Casterbridge who assists Constable Stubberd and Mr. Grower when they try to find the leaders of the skimmington.

Constable Stubberd

the local constable who is fearful of rounding up the crowd that leads the skimmington.

Mr. Stannidge

landlord of the King of Prussia, Casterbridge’s second-rate hotel, after The Golden Crown.

Mrs. Stannidge

landlady of the King of Prussia, Casterbridge’s second-rate hotel, after The Golden Crown.

The landlady

the proprietress of Saint Peter’s Finger, the pub in Mixen Lane.

Lawyer Joyce

The town clerk.

Mr. Vatt

The town mayor who serves after Dr. Chalkfield's death, and who invites Farfrae to serve on the town council.