Role of Chance and Incidence in Mayor of Casterbridge

By Smita Pradhan:

In Thomas Hardy's “The Mayor of Casterbridge” the unexpected and undesired things always happen. Chance and coincidence play very significant role in the novel. We find striking role of chance and fate in the course of events. Fate and chance in every case is the decisive factor. According to Thomas Hardy “an evil power rules the human destinies which thwart all human efforts at making or improving our lots”.

In this particular novel, the central character Henchard is repeatedly haunted by the agents of hostility. Fate constantly tails him due to his own actions; his own actions are responsible for his miseries or sufferings. The irony of fate seems to have free role in the novel. Several incidents prove that destiny plays a vital role on man.

Firstly, the return of Susan to Henchard after a long period of eighteen years is a pure chance. She comes back to him when Henchard was planning to marry Lucetta. After the return of his wife,Henchard is completely in a mess. But finally he takes back Susan.

Secondly, Henchard discovers that Elizabeth-Jane is not his real daughter. Henchard and Susan's child had died and the other baby which Susan had by Newson had been named as Elizabeth Jane. When this truth was revealed, all his love for Elizabeth Jane vanished. This made Henchard very sad and he suddenly grows bitter and anger.

Thirdly, the entirely unexpected appearance of the old furmity seller in Casterbridge to drive the last nail in Henchard's coffin is another chance of event. First she appears at Weydon-priors village. Then suddenly reappears in Casterbridge. She is the only eye witness to the wife-auctioning episode and her reappearance is totally another play of chance.

Fourthly weather fluctuation is another chance of fate in the novel. When Henchard arranges an entertainment show, a freak rain sets in and disturbs his function. On the other hand Farfrae's function proved a great success.

And finally the sudden arrival of Newson who was rumored drowned is another chance in the novel.

So here in this novel we find that Hardy believed in the operation of fatal forces hovering all around us and driving us to our doings.