The Emergence of the Industrial Revolution

Beyond the moralistic aspects of the story, the reader can connect the significance of the introduction of the industrial revolution in The Mayor of Casterbridge. Essentially, Henchard represents tradition, and Farfrae represents innovation. Farfrae, or “industrialization,” is appealing to a good majority of the people. He even appeals to Henchard at first, but when Henchard realizes Farfrae is a threat to him, he repels Farfrae’s ideas. This defines the beginning of the Victorian Era.

Unlike in the Romantic Era, it was in the Victorian Era that society began to appeal to industrialization. As people became more aware of the change, it was as if they slowly became convinced that industrialization was more convenient. However, this did not mean that everyone was in agreement. There were people like Henchard who clung to tradition.

This struggle is depicted numerous times in the novel. The Mayor of Casterbridge, Henchard, was failing his town with is incapability to solve the crop crisis. It is Farfrae who introduces the new method that will save the town’s agriculture. When planning a celebration, Henchard’s festival gets rained out. Farfrae had constructed a tent for his celebration, so the town attended his instead. Farfrae is very intelligent in the newest technology, which is definitely to his advantage. He essentially becomes the wealthier, more liked character in the novel. This concept can be identified when comparing the traditional world to the industrial world.