Far From the Madding Crowd

(1874)

A man struggling to make a future for himself, Gabriel Oak works hard and passionately as a sheep herder. He takes out a loan on good faith only to have his prospects run over a cliff. The catalyst to this need to succeed starts at the sight of Bathsheba Everdene, a head-strong young woman visiting relatives in the country. At first sight he is in awe but she is indifferent. After a series of events, let-downs and deaths, the two find themselves face-to-face again after an embarrassing confrontation months earlier. The only difference is that there is a significant role reversal in status and sense. Thrown together in the name of great farming, they loathe and avoid each other at all costs. Bathsheba, our immature heroine, plays with hearts, but eventually knows the pain that she has caused. Fuelled by the doubts of so many that such a woman could run a farm, she forges ahead, agreeing to heartless arrangements. But the oddities of fate save her from herself and set her on the right road. After what seems like a painfully long time, she grows up and listens to the small wise voice of her heart. Hardy does readers a favor by relating the realistic selfishness of everyday people and their struggle for happiness--illustrating that while we can be extremely stupid at times, the heart can also make us wise.--Submitted by melissa.

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Gabriel Oak -- a man of good nature and intentions. He goes to church on Sundays - although he does not always listen and thinks more about dinner - and works honest work for his money. Bathsheba Everdene - a middle class woman who does not always make the right decisions and often acts on impulse, but really does care for the ones she loves. These two people are the hero and heroine of the novel. One is an ordinary farmer who can get by. The other is an upper class bailiff who has inherited a farm and workers. They meet when Bathsheba visits her Aunt. Oak develops an attraction to her and soon they frequently bump into each other. Oak happens to be looking for a job at one point in the novel and Bathsheba has one going! It is a perfect opportunity for Oak to get to know Bathsheba. The novel is one of romance and passion. When the reader put it down after reading a couple of chapters, they are left with questions buzzing around their minds - how will Mr Boldwood react with the Valentine? Will Oak have pity and help Boldwood and Bathsheba? What is Bathsheba going to do now that Troy has declared his love of another woman? This is an exciting read and will leave the reader itching for more.--Submitted by L.R.S.

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Recent Forum Posts on Far From the Madding Crowd

Far from the madding crowd

hey i was just wondering how do the minor characters influence the outcome of the story? thanks

Posted By poiuyt at Tue 29 Dec 2009, 10:42 AM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 5 Replies

Thomas Hardy

Hey, does anyone know or anywhere I can find (or know of) religeous texts or quotes from sources that relate to Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd'? Thanks in advance for any help :)

Posted By piglet at Thu 22 Oct 2009, 2:43 PM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 6 Replies

Just to say

I just have to say that im in year 10 and i love this book, the way Hardy writes is absolutely brilliant, his style and imagery are awesome...this book scores 11 out of 10.:D

Posted By TomStokes at Sat 19 Jan 2008, 7:03 AM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 0 Replies

Far from the MADDING(???) Crowd

This may be a dumb question, but what does the title mean? I (maybe naively) thought that I would be introduced to a 'crowd' that went by the name 'Madding' and someone wanted to get 'far from' them. I've heard people use this phrase in speaking. I had always heard of this novel and thought they were borrowing the phrase from the novel. Evidently the novel's title is borrowed from a popular phrase. Anyone know what it means???

Posted By AARONDISNEY at Mon 8 Oct 2007, 2:57 PM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 8 Replies

contact me

Hi I suess Bethsheba marrying Gabrial Oak is the most approprate thing she has done, because In the first instance though it appears that Bethsabha married Oak for financial security, as he will be taking care of the farm and all the business dealings of besthaba, But when u analyse the other alternatives it becomes that the reason behind that marriage is not so, when u find that bold wood is also a rich person, who had many servants, and even Oak was working for boldwood, by marrying Boldwood Behtsheba would have been in a better position even financial, and more over he loved her very much. But still she rejected boldwood when he mabe a marrage proposal, the reason for this could be the bitter expirence she has encountred earlier by marrying Troy in a very hasty and unthoughtful manner, she married Troy even though she is not well aware of his character and his nature, and as a result of this she had suffred a great deal, So she was not ready to marry again someone, whome she had not understood well, and with whome there was a little scope of understanding him as the conversation with him was always too short, and even in such short conversation he only spoke how much he loved her, but she had a doubt always in her mind that what a true nature of the person may be, he had little friends in his village, and seldom interacted with the other people, he was filled with pride, On the other hand, Oak who had known Bethseheba since long time, he though deep in his heart loved her more that anything in the world, but was very shy to spent out his fellings to her, but still he loved her, even though she was married to Troy, and his chances of marrying her has completely diminished, he did not resort to hate, but he still stayed with bethsheba in all the times, he was a shoulder on which Bthsebha would rest her head and cry out her grief during the time of sorrow, and even he resolved to forsake her and go to America, when he sences that he staying here would bring bad name to Bethseba, his love for bethsheba was unconditional, even bethseba understood him too well, love should spring out not in a haste on impluse ( has happened in the case of boldwood on seeing the valiantine card from Bethaseba) but is is a slow process which grows with understanding and complete trust, this is how love sprout between Oak and Bethsabha, and surely her marring Oak she had made a most wisest decision out of true love and understanding Do u have any comments on this Please u can contact me my e mail address is alfredkumar77@gmail.com Regards Alfred

Posted By alfredkumar at Tue 17 Jul 2007, 9:50 AM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 0 Replies

Is Hardy funny?

I read far from the Madding Crowd a few months ago and I found it funny it seemed overly melodramatic and Bathsheba and her suitors with the exception of Troy were kind of absurd. Was this intentional?

Posted By Fen at Tue 5 Jun 2007, 3:12 PM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 1 Reply

Help, Help, and Help

Hi there, Ladies & Gentlemen, I need your help and your opinion is very important for me. PLZ help me and answer theses questions? The heroine of the novel, Bathsheba, is an attractive, intelligent but proud young woman with a strong a sense of independence. She is fortunate enough to be able to support herself financially, without having to depend on a man. Consider the 3 paths open to Bathsheba in the first of the novel: to marry Gabriel Oak, to marry Farmer Boldwood, to marry Sergent Troy, or to remain single and enjoy her independence. What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of each path for her? What do you think the best choice for Bathsheba is in the end and why? Give your opinion in: 1.Setting the scene and describing rural England at the end of the 19th century. 2.Describing the characters and bringing them to life. 3.Holding your interest by keeping you guessing about what will happen in the plot. 4.Creating a sense of satisfaction with the ending. Waiting for your answers. Thank you

Posted By Arabian Eyes at Mon 14 May 2007, 3:00 AM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 0 Replies

spices without dish

Far from the madding crowd is far from being a universally accepted novel. The plot seems very unrealistic and unnatural. The sequence of coincidence is unreal. Hardy was too pesimist to present a clear and vivid picture of human beings and society of his times.

Posted By mdreyaz at Thu 19 Jan 2006, 11:38 AM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 0 Replies

none(sad bastard!!!)

I can't speak for the book as I haven't read it, but the film of the same name starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates, amongst others, is funny, witty, tragic depressing, liberating and so on etc etc!!! It is one of the best films in the English language bar none, and if you slag it off before you even watch it, then curses on you!!! But seriously, if you need a film that fulfills all your needs, and of course if your American Gabriel promises(or threatens) to go to California, then this is the film for you! It is a landmark in British film making, and shows something of England before reality, or modernity, hit our shores. It makes me weep everytime I watch it, and I am about as much a rural southern englishman as any of you reading this, but, the film is a powerful interplay of human life as you can imagine. Anyway, I love it!!

Tim Hughes

Posted By Tim at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 0 Replies

F.F.T.M.C.

I am reading this book at school at the moment. We are using it in some of our cousrework. I am found it hard to get into it, but as the story progresses, it gets more and more easy to read. I am only up to chapter 5 and find, as a reader, quite expectant. Cant wait for the ending!

Posted By Caroline at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in Far From the Madding Crowd || 0 Replies

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Far From the Madding Crowd

(1874)

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