JUNE 2, (1840) today is the birthday of Thomas Hardy, memorable English writer of the Victorian Era. We shall recall two of his writings.

One peculiar thing about his last rites is worth noting. His heart was buried at Stinsford. His other remains were buried at the poets' corner in the Westminster Abbey. (See www.wikipedia.org/wiki/thomas_hardy for more details.

1. Mayor of Casterbridge (1886):

This novel has a rural setting. The hero (protagonist) Michael Henchard is not like a traditional hero. Some-what villainish. Initially he works as an agricultural labourer. He is addicted to alcohol. The circumstances forces him to sell his wife (Susan) and the only child (Elizabeth Jane) to a sailor, Newson.

The child dies.

He and his wife live separately for more than 18 years. He settles in another village. His fortunes change. He becomes rich and the mayor of the village. He develops second relationship with Lucette, but does not marry her.

Susan has another child from the buyer (Newson), with the same name Elizabeth Jane.

Susan and Jane come to Henchard's village, searching for him.

Henchard does not want his village to know his ignoble past of selling wife and child. Tactfully, he remarries Susan and comes nearer to Jane, thinking that she is his daughter.

Henchard has corn business. Farfrae is the Manager of it.

Henchard and Farfrae develop differences in business. Farfrae opens his own shop.

Susan dies, giving him a closed cover to be opened on the wedding day of Jane.

Henchard comes to know that Jane is not his child, but Newson's child. He distances himself from her.

Henchard's business fortunes turtle; he becomes as poor as when he sold Susan.

Farfrae becomes the Mayor.

Farfrae also develops relationship with Lucetta.

When Henchard is away from the town Farfrae and the villagers conduct a mock trial of Henchad and Lucetta parading their effigies. This is called Skimmity-ride. Unable to bear the agony, Lucetta dies.

Farfrae starts courting Jane. Henchard does not approve.

Henchard opens Susan's envelope and learns that his original daughter Jane died. The living Jane is the daughter of Susan's buyer Newson. Henchard distances himself from Jane.

Newson comes to visit his daughter Jane. Henchard sends him away telling him that Jane died. Newson goes back disappointed.

Jane meets Newson and comes to know the truth that her father was Newson.

Henchard attends Jane's wedding with Farfrae, with an intent to reconcile himself. He finds Newson at the wedding and leaves the village hurt, as he did not want to trouble her again.

Jane sets out in search of Henchard.

Henchard died. During his last days he was taken care of by Abel Whittle his former employee, whom he wanted to fire once.

Whittle conveys to Jane, Henchard's message that nobody should remember him.

2. Far from the madding crowd.
(To be continued).