Discuss Thomas Hardy’s philosophical views. In what way is his philosophy as expressed in Far From the Madding Crowd different from that in later novels like The Mayor of Casterbridge?

In Far From the Madding Crowd Hardy’s philosophy on life is found. It has biblical references, determinism, meliorism and the role of fate. Hardy Ses many allusions throughout the novel Particularly to Biblical stories and to Classical mythology.

For example, when Bathsheba bursts into tears after Troy kisses her for the first time, Hardy writes that “It had brought upon her a stroke resulting, as did that of Moses in Horeb, in a liquid stream”.

Hardy alludes to the Biblical story in which Moses is leading a group of tired and exhausted Israelites through the desert. God instructs to strike a rock on Mount Horeb and when he does so, it splits open and water pours out for the people to drink.

The allusion, therefore, helps the reader to understand the vulnerability and danger Bathsheba is experiencing at this moment and the way her tears are a way to relieve her complex feelings. 

Two other important allusions are contained in the name of one of the protagonists and in the title of the novel.

Bathsheba’s unusual name would immediately bring to mind the Biblical story of David and Bathsheba.

In this story, a beautiful woman named Bathsheba attracted the attention of King David when he saw her bathing and even though he was already married he seduced her.

Afterward, when Bathsheba became pregnant in order to cover up the adultery, David gave orders to ensure her husband would be killed in battle so that he could marry her himself.

This story of lust, deception and rivalry echoes some of the major themes of the novel.

On Determinism, In Far From the Madding Crowd.

Fanny could not marry Troy because of fate. She went to a different church from the one where Troy was waiting for him.

In the novel, Hardy sees that Oak and Bathsheba can marry in the future and that is the reason that he keeps Oak as solid as Oak tree and he marries Bathsheba at the end.

Far from the Madding Crowd is an exception because it ends on a happy note of bringing Gabriel Oak and Bathsheba together.

Troy’s return at the very moment Boldwood is getting ready to marry Bathsheba is an instance of the operation of forces outside man’s plans and actions.

Gabriel shows how despite all odds against human life. man can overcome it by taking responsibility for fellow men. 

Novels like Tess, Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge end in tragedy where Fate or Chance plays a causal role in human affairs.

Chance or Fate can change man’s destiny. For Hardy, chance is everything over which man has no control,

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