The Mayor of Casterbridge, Summary Ch#10
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Saman KhanThe Mayor of Casterbridge, Summary Ch#10
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Saman KhanTHE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
CHAPTER 10
Summary
As Henchard opens the door of his office to admit Elizabeth-Jane, a newcomer enters and
steps forward before Elizabeth-Jane. This newcomer introduces himself as Joshua Jopp,
the man Henchard was supposed to interview that day for the position of his business
manager. Henchard tells Jopp that he has hired another man, despite having agreed to hire
him subject to an interview. As Jopp leaves, Elizabeth-Jane reads the bitterness in his
face expression.
Elizabeth-Jane asks Henchard if she may speak with him on a personal matter. She
informs him that his relative Susan Newson is in town and wishes to see him. Elizabeth-
Jane introduces herself as Elizabeth-Jane Newson, which suggests to Henchard the truth
of the situation: Elizabeth-Jane does not know Henchard’s connection to her. Henchard
invites her into his house and learns the circumstances of his wife and daughter’s seeming
disappearance, as they had been living for a few years in Canada. Henchard discerns that,
with Newson’s death, the pair has not been left well off. He writes a note to Susan and
includes a five-pound note and five shillings.
Elizabeth-Jane returns with the note and money to The King of Prussia. Susan is moved
at the sight of the note and asks Elizabeth-Jane to recount her experience of meeting
Henchard. The note asks Susan to meet Henchard at eight o’clock that evening at The
Ring outside of town. The enclosure of five guineas with the note is a significant sum,
indicating Henchard’s act of buying his wife back again for the same sum.
Analysis:
Henchard’s engagement of Farfrae as his manager, despite his promise to Jopp, reveals
his fundamentally selfish nature. He wanted the best manager, and was willing to go
against his previous promises to achieve this. Jopp’s disappointment and bitterness
foreshadows and propels his need for revenge on Farfrae.
Elizabeth-Jane introducing herself as “Elizabeth-Jane Newson” is interpreted by
Henchard as an indication of Susan’s desire to hide the past from their daughter, rather
than an indication of the truth of Elizabeth-Jane’s parentage, as it is revealed later in the
novel. Henchard does not suspect that Susan may be keeping a secret from him. He feels
obligated to reconnect with Susan because of her poor situation, and, primarily, for his
daughter’s sake.
The five guineas enclosed with Henchard’s note are a symbol for both the characters
within the novel and the reader. Henchard intends the money to be a symbolic
representation of the reversal of his transaction with Newson. Henchard uses discretion in
communicating with Susan and meeting with her privately—he wants to make up for his
past shameful action, but quietly, without ever revealing the shame.
Themes:
1-Self-Destruction Theme
2-Familial and Romantic
3-Love Theme
4-Loyalty to Duty and Commitments Theme
5-The Past and Forgiveness Theme
6-Character Theme
